How WSU Research Supports AgTech Innovation

Washington State University (WSU) researchers showcased innovations in robotics, automation and precision agriculture at FIRA USA Pacific Northwest 2026 in Yakima, Washington.

The annual event brought together researchers, growers, agtech companies, and investors from across the globe and was held outside of California for the first time. WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS) was a sponsor and strategic partner for this event.

“Advances in automation could solve some of the toughest problems facing tree fruit growers, from labor shortages to environmental extremes,” said Raj Khosla, Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of CAHNRS. “FIRA brings the brightest minds in the field together to seed collaboration and discovery, and our college is proud to support this exciting exchange.”

CAHNRS co-organized Innovation Day, which included panels, lightning talks, and poster sessions related to:

• Robotics and automation
• Digital agriculture in practice
• Public-private partnerships
• Technology for agricultural autonomy

CAHNRS also co-organized Campus Day, which connected K-12 students with robot manufacturers, researchers and industry professionals. Campus Day events included:

• A main stage discussion and participation by area youth robotics teams and schools
• A "Meet the Robots" live parade of technology
• Hands-on piloting and configuration workshops in simulated field conditions

Turning Agricultural Research into Practical Solutions

WSU faculty showcased research exploring how robotics and precision agriculture infused with artificial intelligence can help growers manage labor demands, improve crop input management, and develop new approaches to solve pressing pain points faced by Washington growers.

Troy Peters, professor and director of WSU’s Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, led two lightning talks: one on digital agriculture and another on robotics and automation from seed to harvest.

Dattatray Bhalekar, a Tree Fruit Extension Educator, facilitated a panel on how agricultural technology is transforming crop load management and moderated a roundtable discussion at the AgriTech Meetup session.

Martin Churuvija, assistant professor in Smart Machine and Robotics Systems Engineering, showcased AI-powered robotic pruning technology designed to reduce labor demands in tree fruit production. His research was also featured in lightning talks and poster sessions.

Other WSU presentations included:

• Everting Inflatable Fabric Manipulator (EIFM) for Apple Harvesting [MD1] by Ming Luo
• Reaching the Other Half of the Crop: Motion Planning That Lets a Harvest Arm Enter the Canopy Without Damaging the Tree by Sihui Li
• Economic Feasibility of Robotic Apple Harvesting: A Scenario-Based Decision Tool for Gala and Honeycrisp and Economic and Regulation Challenges-Driver for Tech Adoption-En Español, by R. Karina Gallardo
• Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle Sprayer for Modern Orchard Systems by Dattatray Bhalekar
• Smart irrigation and technology to protect against heat and frost by Bernardita Sallato
• AI in agriculture by Paola Pesantez-Cabrera

Aligning Innovation with Grower Needs

WSU researchers also led workshops and panels designed to align emerging ag tech with farmers’ needs.

WSU Tree Fruit Extension Educators and faculty led a four-hour Horticulture for Engineers workshop that covered tree fruit and vineyard operations, horticultural practices, pest control and other topics essential to developing viable solutions for growers. The session was attended by John Deere employees, ag tech innovators, investors and other conference participants.

CAHNRS Dean Raj Khosla participated in the Cultivating Innovation: Technology Needs and Opportunities in Agriculture panel, moderated by Whiting, a WSU professor and Extension specialist in tree fruit agriculture.

Lav Khot, professor and director of WSU’s AgWeatherNet, participated in a panel on public-private partnerships focused on agricultural innovation and led a session examining university and industry’s roles in establishing functional ‘Smart Farm Testbeds’ for accelerating ag-tech transitioning to practice.

Bernardita Sallato, Tree Fruit Extension Specialist, led the panel on Smart Irrigation: Rethinking Water Management with AgTech & Automation. She also co-led and presented at FIRA’s first Spanish-language session for farmers, Del campo a la tecnología: cómo los trabajadores agrícolas se adaptan a las granjas automatizadas. This session offered an opportunity to examine how farmworkers perceive and adapt to new technologies and how scientists can support that process.

“The message was clear," said Sallato, whose Spanish-language session enabled candid and motivating conversation about technology adoption with farm managers, farm workers and education groups. "The industry is changing, and new technologies are enabling farmers to adapt to economic challenges. Our role is to continue supporting the industry with education and training at every level of the farm operation."

Khot, Sallato, and Bhalekar co-hosted the Smart Orchard Field Day and Tour at Gilbert Orchards in Yakima. Whiting moderated the evening networking social that followed at Gilbert Cellars. These events were fully sponsored by private partners, and faculty organizers received highly positive feedback from industry members and commissioners.

The field day and tour showcased integration of technologies to address several grower-preferred use-cases, including crop load and nutrient management, smart irrigation, and robotics and automation technologies for crop protection, weed management and harvest automation.

Connecting Research with Practical Application

One of the primary goals of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences is to continually advance the science and practice of agriculture. At FIRA USA, WSU faculty and researchers also connected with developers at the forefront of ag tech to exchange ideas and identify areas where innovation can make the biggest impact.

“This conference was a great opportunity to meet brilliant minds working to make farming more productive and economical,” commented Peters. “We encountered so many new agricultural robots and technologies. It makes me hopeful for the future.”

FIRA USA is an annual event and one stop on a global tour. The 2027 U.S. location is yet to be determined. Updates will be posted to fira-usa.com and in the newsletter.

For more information about WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, visit cahnrs.wsu.edu.