Robotic Arms Reach for Power at the World’s Largest Vertical Strawberry Farm
June 22, 2023 Vertical farming leader Oishii has announced a strategic partnership with Yaskawa Electric Corporation, an industrial robotics company based in Japan. Together, the companies will develop new automation solutions to optimize vertical farming methods and scale output. A series of Yaskawa robotic arms will power the world’s largest vertical strawberry farm, operated by Oishii.
The robots will work in concert with Oishii’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, technology, and urban farmers to harvest strawberries at the peak of freshness. When paired with Oishii’s proprietary tech stack — which includes crop management algorithms, environmental controls, and energy monitors — Yaskawa’s innovations will deliver new efficiencies to reduce food, energy, and water waste.
The collaboration between the two brands will also accelerate Oishii’s ability to scale globally. With the introduction of advanced automation across all of Oishii’s farm facilities, the brand will be able to meet the substantial demand for its vertically farmed strawberries.
“Yaskawa is one of the most respected names in industrial robotics today. Like Oishii, they are guided by the pursuit of quality and believe technology can solve some of the world’s most pressing issues,” says Hiroki Koga, Co-Founder and CEO of Oishii. “We’re honored to partner with a company that is invested in our mission to reinvent the future of agriculture. Together, we will deliver forward-looking solutions to bring clean, delicious produce to more people.”
As the first vertical farming company to perfect the strawberry at commercial scale, Oishii harmoniously marries nature, technology, and farming techniques perfected for decades in Japan to grow its prized fruit, which is pollinated naturally with bees. The hyper-locally grown produce is farmed without pesticides and is ripe year-round.
RELATED CONTENT: Why the Future Is Bright for Investing in Ag Tech
The partnership comes on the heels of strong growth for the company. In February, Oishii introduced a new cultivar called the Koyo Berry, marked by its refreshing sweetness, balanced acidity, fragrant aroma, and slightly firm texture. The Koyo Berry joins Oishii’s beloved Omakase Berry, which is renowned for its sweetness, aroma, and creamy texture.
In May 2022, the brand opened Mugen Farm, the world’s largest indoor strawberry farm which spans more than 74,000 square feet. The farm uses 60% less energy and 40% less water than the company’s first-generation facilities. The vertical farming innovator also is in development on new types of flowering produce.