Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google LLC, has recently decided to discontinue its agricultural AI robot project, Mineral, which was developed under the umbrella of Alphabet’s moonshot technology lab, X. The project was launched in 2020 with the aim of using AI and robotics to improve crop yield and sustainability. However, following difficulties in gaining traction in the market, Alphabet has chosen to shut down the initiative.
The concept behind Mineral centred on the use of solar-powered robots equipped with cameras and AI algorithms to independently monitor and analyse crop fields. By merging sensor data with external sources such as satellite imagery and weather conditions, the technology aimed to provide farmers with comprehensive insights into their crops, enabling more efficient resource management.
Initially, Mineral’s technology was deployed to study a variety of crops across the United States, including soybeans in Illinois and strawberries in California. Despite its promising beginnings, Alphabet has opted to license a portion of Mineral’s assets to Driscoll’s Inc., a well-known berry producer that had previously collaborated with Mineral to improve berry yield predictions.
Although Alphabet is discontinuing Mineral as a standalone entity, its technology will not go to waste. Driscoll’s plans to integrate the technology into its agricultural operations, expressing disappointment over Alphabet’s decision, but remaining optimistic about the potential impact of the licensed technology on sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, there are expectations of future collaborations between Mineral and other agricultural companies, although the specifics of these partnerships have yet to be revealed.
This update marks a significant development in the agricultural tech industry, with implications for the future of AI and robotics in farming. Alphabet’s decision to shift its focus away from Mineral demonstrates the challenges of introducing new technology in traditional industries. Despite the setback, the licensing of Mineral’s technology to Driscoll’s represents a new chapter for the project, offering the possibility of continued innovation and progress within the agricultural sector.
Source: siliconangle.com