Futuristic farm begins selling its first batch of vegetables made by robots

Robots are getting advanced with each passing day and this time, in a first, a futuristic startup farm mostly controlled by robots has started actually selling vegetables produced solely by robots.

A Californian startup Iron Ox opened its first farm last year where it had robots handling numerous tasks that are usually tackled by humans. Now, the company’s products are fully grown and available for purchase too.

Iron Ox, as per Futurism, is currently selling three types of leafy green vegetables – baby head lettuce, Genovese basil, and red-veined sorrel – in a grocery store. It provides with five to 10 cases from its robot farm every week.

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The farm uses a combination of robotic picking arms, hydroponic vats, self-driving porters, and a computer system named ‘the brain’ that gives automated instructions for farming process. However, despite being a robotic farm, humans still perform a lot of tasks including planting seedlings and packaging plants when they are ready. The robots only tend them while they are growing, as per The Verge.

“At the end of the day, we have technology, robotics and (artificial intelligence) helping grow the produce,” Iron Ox CEO Brandon Alexander told The Chronicle. “But what’s really resonating is the product itself. It’s the fragrance of the basil, the color profile, the freshness.”

Moreover, the company claims that their system is able to deliver around 30% more produce per acre as compared to a regular farm. Also, thanks to technology, Iron Ox’s farm needs much less space than a traditional farm because of which the firm hopes to one day ensure everyone has access to fresh and affordable produce.