NOORDWIJKERHOUT, Netherlands. To combat disease in Dutch tulip fields, a tireless AI robot named Theo is revolutionizing the way sickness is detected and controlled, operating tirelessly without complaint, unlike its human counterparts.
Named after a retired employee at the WAM Pennings farm near the Dutch North Sea coast, Theo represents the cutting edge of agricultural technology, tirelessly patrolling the vibrant tulip fields to identify and eliminate diseased flowers, thus curbing the spread of the tulip-breaking virus.
On a blustery spring morning, Theo embarked on its mission, traversing rows of colorful “goudstuk” tulips, meticulously inspecting each plant and swiftly disposing of infected bulbs to safeguard the health of the fields. This meticulous process is crucial in preventing the stunting of growth and weakening of the bulbs caused by the virus, ultimately preserving the integrity of the blooms.
Allan Visser, a third-generation tulip farmer utilizing Theo for the second consecutive growing season, underscored the significance of this technological advancement. “You could also buy a very nice sports car,” Visser remarked, acknowledging the considerable investment required for the robot, priced at 185,000 euros ($200,000). “But I prefer to have the robot because a sports car doesn’t take out the sick tulips from our field… there are less and less people who can really see the sick tulips,” he added.
Despite its leisurely pace of one kilometer per hour (0.6 mph), Theo’s efficiency lies in its precision. Equipped with cameras and powered by artificial intelligence, the robot meticulously analyzes thousands of images of tulips, swiftly identifying signs of infection and taking appropriate action. Erik de Jong of H2L Robotics, the company behind Theo’s creation, emphasized the role of AI in the process, stating, “The heart of the machine is the knowledge that we put into the AI model… We use the knowledge of the tulip farmers, we combine it into an AI model.”
Theo van der Voort, the retired employee after whom the robot is named, expressed awe at its capabilities. “It’s fantastic,” he exclaimed. “It sees just as much as I see.”
As the tulip fields bloom into a riot of colors, Theo stands as a testament to the synergy between technology and agriculture, offering a glimpse into the future of precision farming and disease control in the Netherlands’ iconic bulb fields.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
