Robots Harvest Lettuce in AI-Powered Smart Farm Beneath Seoul Skyscraper

In the heart of Seoul's bustling Gangnam district, amidst towering skyscrapers, a unique form of agriculture is taking place: robots are harvesting lettuce in an underground smart farm. Located in the basement of a building on Gangnam-daero, this facility represents the evolving landscape of urban farming and agricultural technology.

Inside the cleanroom environment, accessed after passing through an air shower, robotic arms move between tiered cultivation racks. These robots meticulously check the weight and density of lettuce using cameras before carefully picking the best heads and placing them into baskets. This AI smart farm combines Internet of Things (IoT) enabled cultivation systems that manage the growing environment with AI-powered robots responsible for crop monitoring and harvesting.

The technology signifies a leap forward from earlier smart farm systems, which primarily operated based on parameters set by farmers. Now, AI analyzes the growing conditions and directs robots to perform complex agricultural tasks, including harvesting. In Goheung County, for example, AI is being trained on cultivation data from expert paprika farmers to optimize greenhouse environments and control systems like roof vents and heating.

This advancement in smart farming is gaining traction nationwide. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the area covered by smart farming policies in the facility horticulture sector expanded by 48.6% from 6,540 hectares in 2021 to 9,720 hectares last year. This growth highlights South Korea's commitment to integrating technology into its agricultural sector, making farming more efficient and adaptable.