CORe
Center of Excellence for
Orchard
Robotics
A multi-institutional initiativeLed by Cornell #AgRobotics Lab
Transforming tree fruit production through robotics,artificial intelligence, digital twins and precision horticulture.
Our mission
People, plants, robots and data—working as one orchard ecosystem.
Led by the Cornell #AgRobotics Lab, CORe connects universities and industry organizations around a shared program spanning orchard systems, robotics, AI, field evaluation, extension and commercialization.
Transdisciplinary Research
Integrated Systems Approach to Orchard Robotics
Our work spans the technical, biological, economic and human dimensions required to move orchard automation from prototypes to adoption.
01
Economics of Technology Adoption
Cost–benefit analysis, labor impacts, grower decisions and commercialization pathways.
02
Precision Horticulture
Canopy management and orchard architectures optimized for access, yield and fruit quality.
03
Orchard Perception
Computer vision, RGB-D sensing, semantic understanding and three-dimensional canopy reconstruction.
04
Digital Twins & Virtual Orchards
Continuously updated representations of tree architecture, crop load and robot–canopy interaction.
05
Soft Robotic Manipulation
Compliant manipulators, soft wrists, tactile sensing and crop-safe end effectors.
06
Multipurpose Orchard Robotics
Common robotic platform for harvesting, thinning and other orchard operations.
07
Broadening Adoption
Increasing understanding, education, extension, workforce development, stakeholder participation and technology adoption.
Technology portfolio
Built for complex orchard environments
A connected technology stack moves from observation to useful farm decisions and safe physical interaction.
System spotlight
From perception to physical interaction
We integrate orchard sensing, robotic mobility, manipulation and decision-making into field-ready systems—then study their performance in the context that matters.
Grower engagement
Developed with growers, not only for growers
Field validation, advisory sessions, demonstrations and adoption studies keep research grounded in the work, risks and opportunities of commercial orchards.
The people behind the work
A transdisciplinary research community
Researchers work alongside an independent advisory committee and a broader collaborator network, connecting engineering, horticulture, socio-economics, extension and orchard experience.
An invitation to collaborate
Help shape the future of orchard robotics
We welcome collaboration with growers, researchers, technology developers, students and public agencies.
