New tomato varieties could accelerate greenhouse robotic automation
A new initiative is exploring how tomato varieties can support robotic crop work in high-tech greenhouses, including harvesting and other labor-intensive activities. The effort aims to better understand which plant characteristics are most compatible with autonomous systems as the greenhouse sector moves toward increased automation.
The collaboration between eternal.ag and Rijk Zwaan combines expertise in vegetable breeding, robotics, and artificial intelligence to test how tomato varieties can be adapted for robotic operations. The focus is on identifying crop traits that allow machines to operate more efficiently and consistently in greenhouse environments.
Researchers will experiment with different ways tomato crops grow and behave to determine which varieties align best with robotic systems. Key areas of interest include improving fruit accessibility and designing plant structures that enable robots to move and work more effectively during harvesting and crop management tasks.
The initiative comes as greenhouse operators worldwide face growing labor shortages that continue to affect food production and farm operations. The increasing difficulty in securing reliable labor has accelerated investment in automation technologies aimed at improving productivity and operational predictability.
“Robotics will play an important role in the future of automatic greenhouses,” said Michiel Zwaan, Crop Manager Berries & Tomato at Rijk Zwaan. “That’s why working together is important. This collaboration gives us the chance to try things out in practice.”
According to the partners, linking crop genetics with robotic system development could help create greenhouse production systems that are more scalable and efficient in the long term.
“The collaboration represents a future vision of blending advanced research, technical expertise, and real-world application,” said Renji John, co-founder and CEO of eternal.ag. “By bridging the gap between robotics and crop genetics, the goal is to improve future crop performance, while addressing long-term food production challenges in a future where greenhouse automation is essential.”
As part of the project, eternal.ag’s Harvester robot will be demonstrated at Rijk Zwaan’s high-tech trial greenhouse facility in De Lier, the Netherlands, during the week of June 8, 2026.