Robotics in Cannabis – What Role Will They Play in 2035?

The cannabis industry, much like many others, is currently on the verge of a technological revolution.  While many anticipated tech projects have withered away over time, robotics has the potential to be a mainstay if they can advance enough due to their precision and efficiency in cultivation, processing, and distribution.  Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies have already begun paving the way for improved quality control and streamlined operations.  It is robotics, though, that promises to deliver unmatched advancements from an engineering perspective, allowing cultivators to physically act upon the data these previous technologies now afford.

The Current State of Robotics in Cannabis

Although there is a long way to go, robotics have already found their way into the cannabis industry.  As it stands, use cases primarily focus on automating repetitive and labor-intensive tasks.  This means simple things like automating lighting rigs and irrigation systems to optimize light exposure and water distribution, minimizing waste, and maximizing yields – each barely on the cusp of being considered robotics in the first place.  All of which is to say – we’ve barely tapped the potential of what robotics can offer.  Then, there are pruning robots equipped with computer vision technology, which help maintain plant health by identifying and removing unnecessary foliage.

While they are not commonplace at this time, we are now seeing cannabis harvesting robots come to fruition, such as trimmers, which are designed to delicately handle flowers without causing damage.  Companies like Bloom Automation are leading the charge, developing robotic trimmers that use advanced vision systems to identify and trim sugar leaves with precision, mimicking the actions of a human trimmer – only faster and more consistently.  These systems often use advanced sensors to identify the optimal cutting points, ensuring a consistent product quality.  In post-harvest stages, automated systems for drying, trimming, and packaging are improving efficiency and reducing human error, enabling faster production timelines.

While such innovations represent significant progress, they are largely adaptations of technologies originally developed for other industries.  The cannabis sector has yet to see robotics solutions specifically engineered to address its unique challenges. But that is about to change.

The Future of Robotics in Cannabis

While the above touches on the current state of robotics in cannabis, lets take a moment to look forward at what a decade of advancement will bring.  Over this time, the cannabis industry looks primed for a seismic shift as robotics bring new possibilities and efficiencies to the table.  For example,

Autonomous Robots

Simultaneously leveraging AI, advanced vision systems will become commonplace.  These systems will be able to monitor individual plants in real-time, identifying pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies with pinpoint accuracy.

This will allow for healthier crops and higher yields, making commercial and residential outfits more efficient and cost-effective as a result.  To be clear, this is not expected to be a marginal gain; rather, we are talking about order-of-magnitude improvements.

Advanced robotics will also enable automated propagation techniques – think tissue culture cloning and selective seed breeding.  These systems will make standardizing genetic traits easy, ensuring consistency in cannabinoid profiles and terpene production.

Things get even more interesting when you consider what can be achieved with vertical farming setups.  In situations where space optimization and resource efficiency is paramount, commercial cannabis growers will benefit greatly from robotics.  This will be made possible by robots capable of navigating multi-tiered systems to plant, monitor, and harvest crops.

In post-harvest stages, robots will be able to handle delicate processes such as trimming and sorting more gentle than any human ever could.  They will also integrate real-time quality control mechanisms that scan for trichome density, color, and overall flower health to ensure premium product standards.

Fully autonomous systems will also transport cannabis products within facilities and assist in distribution logistics, integrating with blockchain systems to provide a transparent and traceable supply chain, ensuring regulatory compliance and consumer confidence.  While this may sound like science fiction, it is a future much closer than many realize due to accelerators like AI that are allowing quicker and quicker development of sister industries like robotics.

Engineering Challenges and What Is Needed

While the potential for robotics in cannabis is immense, realizing the advancements outlined above will require overcoming many engineering and logistical challenges.  Like most problems, though, these are surmountable with the right approach.

Soft Touch: A Delicate Dance

Robotics for cannabis must be designed to handle the unique physical and biological characteristics of the plant.  Trichomes, for example, are delicate and can be easily damaged by traditional robotic grippers.  Developing soft-touch robotic systems will be critical.  A couple of the approaches being taken by researchers include,

• Foam fluidics
• Hydrogels

While we won’t get in the technical details of how these work, they will allow for robotics to offer a gentler and more agile touch – something crucial for efficient harvesting and maintaining plant health.

Scalability: From Boutique to Big Time

Scalability is another obvious but major hurdle.  As it stands, most cannabis operations are still small to medium-sized businesses.  Integration of robotics could change this, allowing businesses to scale by increasing productivity while reducing their bottom line.

Modular robotics can play a vital role here. These systems can be easily reconfigured and expanded, making them suitable for operations of all sizes.  Modularity also allows for easy upgrades and maintenance, reducing downtime and costs.

Finally, scaling can be made easier through robotics by making it easier for companies to ensure their systems adhere to stringent cannabis industry regulations – particularly around security, quality control, and traceability.  This includes incorporating features like real-time reporting and automated compliance checks.

Energy Efficiency: Powering the Future Sustainably

Robotic systems will also be energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.  This is something of particular note, as the world places increased importance on sustainability.  Future robotics may be designed using life cycle assessments and bio-based materials to be more eco-friendly.

Furthermore, robotics can enable more precise application of water, nutrients, and pesticides (if used), reducing waste and minimizing environmental impact.

Solar-powered units or systems that recycle energy will likely become a focus for innovation, as will closed-loop systems.  This is not just about being “green,” it is about the long-term viability of the industry.

Rise of the Machines?

If all goes according to plan, over the next decade, we will see robotics revolutionize the cannabis industry and beyond.  Whether it be through increased precision, efficiency, or scalability – the benefits are plentiful.  By integrating robotics with other transformative technologies, like AI, the benefits can be ramped up even further.

While some fear robotics due to the field’s potential to replace the human workforce, it is important to remember that such implementations will open up entire other fields of needed expertise to care for such systems.  This means retraining and revamping education as younger generations adapt to the realities of our future world.