High-throughput robotic multi-scale sensing for tomato disease phenotyping
North Carolina State University has developed a robotic sensing platform, HuskyBot2.0, for high-throughput tomato disease phenotyping, leveraging UAV/UGV imaging and machine learning for disease detection and trait analysis. This innovative system aims to enhance disease management and breeding efforts.
North Carolina State University (NC State) has created HuskyBot2.0, a robotic phenotyping platform designed for high-throughput, multi-scale sensing of tomato diseases under field conditions. This platform integrates unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ground vehicles (UGVs) equipped with imaging technologies and machine learning algorithms to accurately score disease severity and identify traits associated with resistance. The system aims to address the limitations of manual scouting, which is labor-intensive and subjective, by providing rapid, precise, and scalable disease phenotyping. This technology supports breeding programs and disease management strategies by enabling real-time monitoring and data collection across large fields. The project is actively seeking collaborative validation and licensing opportunities through university tech transfer or sponsored field trials, with funding from USDA and ongoing research efforts to improve crop resilience and yield.
About North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University is a large, comprehensive public land‑grant research university in Raleigh. Its on‑campus research and technology park co‑locates corporate R&D groups, government partners, and faculty labs, enabling shared facilities, prototyping, and agile contracting. Located in North Carolina’s Research Triangle, partners tap a dense regional ecosystem while engaging through a statewide extension network and a mature co‑op program that deliver field deployment and workforce pipelines. Multiple pilot and demonstration facilities support scale‑up and validation toward pre‑commercial readiness. Research is supported by competitive funding from major federal agencies, including NSF, USDA, DOE, and DOD, and a dedicated technology transfer office with clear IP pathways helps accelerate commercialization.
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