RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is transforming its agriculture sector with advanced robotics aimed at boosting productivity and sustainability.
Artificial intelligence-powered machines are automating date-palm harvesting and managing irrigation, addressing labor shortages while optimizing water use in the Kingdom’s arid climate.
Backed by major investments and ongoing field trials, the country is also positioning itself as a leader in smart farming, with the goal of increasing crop yields and enhancing food security.
A key initiative in this push is a research project led by a team at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, which is developing an AI-driven robotic system to support local date farmers.
The project, headed by KAUST Assistant Prof. Shinkyu Park, focuses on automating critical tasks in date palm cultivation — including harvesting, pollination, and tree maintenance. By integrating robotics with AI, the team aims to improve efficiency and deliver higher yields of more nutritious dates.
