Inside a nondescript UB computer lab, a new tech-savvy style of indoor farming is blossoming.
Lettuce and basil are growing inside a phonebooth-sized greenhouse, all under the unflinching eyes of an artificial intelligence system designed to identify the faintest signs of sickness and distress among the plants.
The early detection of nutrient deficiencies, pests and other problems — as well as the opportunity to optimize LED lighting programs that indoor farming operations rely upon — are the crux of a new research project at UB’s Institute for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
The LED lights have multiple tunable channels to adjust the intensity of lights from different spectrums. Photos: Douglas Levere
Partners involved in the project include Ellicottville Greens, specializing in indoor vertical farming of vegetables, herbs, greens, and other produce, and Buffalo-based Starco Lighting, known for providing LED lighting solutions to commercial and industrial clients.
The initiative secured a $50,000 grant from FuzeHub, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting technology development and commercialization throughout New York State. The funding originates from the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund, backed by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Xiong emphasizes the vast potential of AI and computer vision technologies, particularly within controlled environments like indoor farms. This innovative application of AI addresses societal needs while showcasing the transformative impact of technology in agriculture.
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