Indoor Farming Systems Research Articles

Effects of UV-B and UV-C Spectrum Supplementation on the Antioxidant Properties and Photosynthetic Activity of Lettuce Cultivars.

Indoor farming systems enable plant production in precisely controlled environments. However, implementing stable growth conditions and the absence of stress stimulants can weaken plants' defense responses and limit the accumulation of bioactive, health-beneficial phytochemicals. A potential solution is the controlled application of stressors, such as supplemental ultraviolet (UV) light. To this end, we analyzed the efficiency of short-term pre-harvest supplementation of the red-green-blue (RGB, LED) spectrum with ultraviolet B (UV-B) or C (UV-C) light to boost phytochemical synthesis. Additionally, given the biological harm of UV radiation due to high-energy photons, we monitored plants' photosynthetic activity during treatment and their morphology as well as sensory attributes after the treatment. Our analyses showed that UV-B radiation did not negatively impact photosynthetic activity while significantly increasing the overall antioxidant potential of lettuce through enhanced levels of secondary metabolites (total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins), carotenoids, and ascorbic acid. On the contrary, UV-C radiation-induced anthocyanin accumulation in the green leaf cultivar significantly harmed the photosynthetic apparatus and limited plant growth. Taken together, we showed that short-term UV-B light supplementation is an efficient method for lettuce biofortification with healthy phytochemicals, while UV-C treatment is not recommended due to the negative impact on the quality (morphology, sensory properties) of the obtained leafy products. These results are crucial for understanding the potential of UV light supplementation for producing functional plants.

Evaluation of growth and nutritional profile of microgreens of different crops under various LEDs light spectrums.

Carefully selecting the appropriate lighting is vital for indoor farming systems to ensure sustainable agriculture and the production of microgreens rich in health-beneficial phytochemicals. This study aimed to investigate the impact of various light spectrums on the growth and nutritional composition of microgreens. The experiment focused on a single factor: five different concentrations of LED lights, specifically White light (L1) at 100%, Red light (L2) at 100%, Blue light (L3) at 100%, Red and Blue light (L4) at a 70:30 ratio, and Red, Green, and Blue light (L5) at a 70:10:20 ratio. Four microgreen crops were used: Mustard (C1), Lettuce (C2), Radish (C3), and Broccoli (C4). The results showed that the hypocotyl lengths of C1, C2, C3, and C4 were higher under the L4 light treatment (70:30 Red and Blue), measuring 10.53 cm, 8.47 cm, 15.23 cm, and 11.43 cm, respectively. The shorter hypocotyl lengths of 7.67, 5.53, 11.2 and 7.73 cm were observed under the L1 (White light) condition. The greater fresh weights for C1, C2, C3, and C4 (0.1 kg each) and yields (0.115 kg, 0.110 kg, 0.135 kg, and 0.125 kg, respectively) were also obtained under the L4 light condition. The higher SPAD values for C1 (38.2 nm), C2 (16.9 nm), C3 (55.3 nm), and C4 (49.9 nm) were recorded with the L4 light treatment. Additional findings included potassium content for C1 (0.19%), C2 (0.19%), C3 (0.22%), and C4 (0.16%), and antioxidant capacity for C1 (0.22%), C2 (0.23%), C3 (0.19%), and C4 (0.18%). The higher gross income was achieved with the L4C1, L4C2, L4C3, and L4C4 treatments, while the lower was with the L1C1, L1C2, L1C3, and L1C4 treatments. The benefit-cost ratios were higher (4.1, 3.9, 4.9, and 4.5) for the L4C1, L4C2, L4C3, and L4C4 treatments, respectively. Therefore, a 70:30 Red and Blue light combination (L4) can be used profitably in indoor farming to maximize growth, yield, and nutritional content of microgreens.

Potential of house crickets Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) as a novel food source for integration in a co-cultivation system

Environmental controlled indoor cultivation combined with a co-cultivation of different organisms can address the challenges of agri-food systems and lead towards resilience. Due to their numerous food and feed applications and low environmental impact, house crickets (Achaeta domesticus) are a promising candidate for indoor cultivation systems. The present study explored the potential of house crickets for application in indoor farming and co-cultivation systems, by applying PAR at elevated intensity combined with narrowband UV-B irradiation at 285 nm and observing its effect on the development of the house crickets, their nutritional composition and the mineral content of their frass, which has potential as fertilizer. Narrowband UV-B irradiation increased the survival rate of the house crickets by >20%, while not affecting their weight (g/cricket), compared to house crickets reared in the same conditions without the narrowband UV-B irradiation (Elevated PAR). Furthermore, narrowband UV-B irradiation increased by 16.18% and 67.95% the protein and chitin content, respectively, compared to the house crickets reared in the same conditions without UV-B irradiation. Finally, all the frass samples showed a rich mineral profile containing Ca, K, Mg, Na and S, with narrowband UV-B irradiation affecting its composition throughout the rearing process. Thus, this study demonstrates that house crickets can adapt physiologically to different environments and are suitable for integration into indoor farming and co-cultivation systems. Thus, it is suggested that house crickets, as edible insects, have significant potential to be cultivated with other organisms, an important step for the circular economy.

Enhancing Productivity and Improving Nutritional Quality of Subtropical and Temperate Leafy Vegetables in Tropical Greenhouses and Indoor Farming Systems

The total land used for land-based food farms is less than 1% in Singapore. As a result, more than 90% of Singapore’s food needs are imported. To strengthen food security, Singapore has set a target to develop the capability and capacity of the agri-food industry to locally produce 30% of its nutritional needs by 2030. To achieve this goal, technology is the key to helping farms to “grow more with less”. This review first discusses how aeroponic systems have been adapted for growing all kinds of leafy vegetables in the tropics through the manipulation of root-zone temperature and heat priming to save power energy. Growing vegetable crops indoors and in greenhouses not only allows the growers to achieve high productivity but also enables them to enhance nutritional values. The second part of this paper emphasizes how to achieve substantial yield through deficit irrigation with higher nutritional quality in a cost-effective manner. Growing crops vertically has become increasingly popular, as it increases land use. We establish a commercially viable LED-integrated aeroponic system to grow vegetables vertically. The last part of the paper discusses the impacts of LED spectral quality, quantity, and duration on vegetable production.

Growing Sustainably: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities in Urban Horticulture in India

In India's bustling terrain, peri-urban areas face neglect, unplanned growth, and environmental damage. As urbanisation encroaches on agricultural land, the competition for resources grows. This article delves into the complex tapestry of challenges and opportunities in urban and peri-urban horticulture, offering light on topics such as land-use disputes, food security, and environmental sustainability. The article also explores the durability of conventional growing methods such as home gardening and community gardens, as well as novel alternatives such as soilless cultures and indoor farming systems. Amidst the challenges, there are chances for revitalising urban settings with continuous productive landscapes, developing sustainable food sources, and improving general urban well-being. From the complicated dance of people, places, and food products to managing market dynamics, this research reveals urban horticulture's brilliant promise for crafting a healthier, more sustainable future for India's changing urban fabric.

Profile of the gut microbiota of Pacific white shrimp under industrial indoor farming system

The gut microbial communities interact with the host immunity and physiological functions. In this study, we investigated the bacterial composition in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp’s gut and rearing water under different host (developmental stage: juvenile and adult; health status: healthy and diseased) and environmental factors (temperature 25 °C and 28 °C; and light intensity: low and high). The PCoA analysis showed that all water samples were clustered together in a quarter, whereas the gut samples spread among three quarters. In terms of functional bacteria, gut samples of adult shrimp, healthy adult shrimp, adult shrimp raised at 28 °C, and juvenile shrimp under high light intensity exhibited a higher abundance of Vibrionaceae compared to each other opposite group. Gut samples of juvenile shrimp, infected adult shrimp, juvenile shrimp with low light intensity, and adult shrimp with a water temperature of 25 °C showed a higher abundance of Pseudoaltromonadaceae bacteria compared to each other opposite group. Gut samples of juvenile shrimp, healthy adult shrimp, adult shrimp raised at a water temperature of 28 °C, and juvenile shrimp with high light intensity showed the higher abundance of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio compared to each other opposite group. Our results showed that L. vannamei juveniles are more sensitive to bacterial infections; besides, water temperature of 28 °C and high light intensity groups were both important conditions improving the shrimp gut bacterial composition under industrial indoor farming systems.Key points• Bacteria diversity was higher among shrimp intestinal microbiota compared to the rearing water.• Shrimp juveniles are more sensitive to bacterial infection compared to adults.• Water temperature of 28 °C and high light intensity are recommended conditions for white shrimp aquaculture.Graphical

Light Intensity Modulates the Functional Composition of Leaf Metabolite Groups and Phyllosphere Prokaryotic Community in Garden Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) Plants at the Vegetative Stage.

Light intensity primarily drives plant growth and morphogenesis, whereas the ecological impact of light intensity on the phyllosphere (leaf surface and endosphere) microbiome is poorly understood. In this study, garden lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants were grown under low, medium, and high light intensities. High light intensity remarkably induced the leaf contents of soluble proteins and chlorophylls, whereas it reduced the contents of leaf nitrate. In comparison, medium light intensity exhibited the highest contents of soluble sugar, cellulose, and free amino acids. Meanwhile, light intensity resulted in significant changes in the composition of functional genes but not in the taxonomic compositions of the prokaryotic community (bacteria and archaea) in the phyllosphere. Notably, garden lettuce plants under high light intensity treatment harbored more sulfur-cycling mdh and carbon-cycling glyA genes than under low light intensity, both of which were among the 20 most abundant prokaryotic genes in the leaf phyllosphere. Furthermore, the correlations between prokaryotic functional genes and lettuce leaf metabolite groups were examined to disclose their interactions under varying light intensities. The relative abundance of the mdh gene was positively correlated with leaf total chlorophyll content but negatively correlated with leaf nitrate content. In comparison, the relative abundance of the glyA gene was positively correlated with leaf total chlorophyll and carotenoids. Overall, this study revealed that the functional composition of the phyllosphere prokaryotic community and leaf metabolite groups were tightly linked in response to changing light intensities. These findings provided novel insights into the interactions between plants and prokaryotic microbes in indoor farming systems, which will help optimize environmental management in indoor farms and harness beneficial plant-microbe relationships for crop production.

Design and Analysis of LED-Based Artificial Plant-Growing Fixture for Vertical Indoor Farming Systems

The ability to perform photosynthesis with artificial lighting has eliminated the dependence on the sun in the agricultural industry. With the elimination of dependence on the sun, indoor plant production has been enabled by using artificial lighting in facilities such as vertical farming facilities. As a result of making soilless agriculture possible in vertical farming facilities, more organic and healthier plant production can be achieved as the plant is free from diseases and pests and therefore there is no need for pesticides. At the same time, thanks to the facilities to be established in city centers, the access process and cost of the plants grown will be reduced. In this study, the light needed for the growth of plants in the indoor vertical soilless agriculture facility was artificially designed using LED chips. In the luminaire(fixture) design, the wavelength and level of light can be adjusted according to the needs of plant growth periods. Comparative analyzes were made of the LED-based internal vertical luminaire design results carried out within the scope of the study and equivalent products used for the same purpose.

A digital-twin and rapid optimization framework for optical design of indoor farming systems

A digital-twin and rapid optimization framework for optical design of indoor farming systems

Structured Ecological Cultivation With Autonomous Robots in Agriculture: Toward a Fully Autonomous Robotic Indoor Farming System

Structured Ecological Cultivation With Autonomous Robots in Agriculture: Toward a Fully Autonomous Robotic Indoor Farming System

Barriers to implementing risk management practices in microgreens growing operations in the United States: Thematic analysis of interviews and survey data

Microgreens are an emerging raw salad crop most often cultivated using indoor farming systems. Minimal information is currently available regarding production and distribution practices of microgreens growers in the United States (U.S.). Describing these practices can inform training focused on risk management practices tailored to the U.S. microgreens industry. This study aimed to describe barriers to implementing risk management practices among U.S. microgreens growers. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews (n = 47) and a supplemental online survey completed by microgreens growers (n = 48) in the U.S. Survey data indicated high prevalence of microgreens growing indoors in residential areas (70.8%) using traditional cultivation methods with soilless growing media. Revenue due to microgreens sales ranged from <US$5000 to > US$50,000 per year, and certifications, such as “USDA organic” or good agricultural practices (GAPs), were not widely pursued. The majority of microgreens were sold directly to consumers at farmer's markets (32.7%) and/or to restaurant operators for use in food service establishments (31.0%). The internet was the most popular source of educational information used by first-time microgreens growers. Growers were generally unsure whether their microgreens growing operations were covered by the FSMA Produce Safety rule. The 12 interview questions elucidated three classes of themes: contextual, barriers to risk management, and training. Eleven subthemes were identified, and an example of a subtheme within each class, respectively, includes: controlling climate and contaminants within the growing space; misunderstanding the definitions of cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting; and training preferences. Findings from this study indicate a need to create a centralized source of essential content to support microgreens growers' needs in different geographic areas, as regulations can vary by state. Moreover, microgreens growers are unique in that most are sole proprietors growing in residential areas, and the current produce safety training does not address information relevant to their operation.

Experimental Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Parabolic Solar Lighting System for Use in Agricultural Environments

This study presents a solar lighting system designed for indoor farming to provide natural light. The proposed system uses a parabolic dish concentrator integrating with polymethyl methacrylate optical fibers to direct concentrated light into a desired place. A water cooling mechanism is also used to prevent heat transmission to the optical fibers. The indoor sunlight's distribution is studied using a designed darkroom. The evaluation is carried out in 7 days, from November 23 to 29, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., to ensure the stability of the system under various weather conditions. The results of the experiments show that the receiver's temperature can remain at 63 °C on sunny days under a clear sky, even when the maximum value of solar radiation is about 982 W m−2 with the highest air temperature of 19 °C. During the experiments, the solar illuminance ranges from a maximum of 118,821.85 lx to a minimum value of 374.9.6 lx. The overall optical efficiency of the system, considering optical components, ranges from 31% to 32% under various outdoor illuminance levels. Overall, it is confirmed that the developed solar lighting system offers a applicable method to naturally illuminate protected agricultural environments, enhancing the quality of the growing crops.

Thermo-fluid dynamic analysis of the air flow inside an indoor vertical farming system

In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to assess the thermo-fluid dynamic behaviour of an indoor vertical farming system. Experimentally driven three-dimensional k-ε steady simulations are performed using a species transport model to account for relative humidity. In-field sensor measurements are used to set the boundary conditions for the simulations and to validate the results in terms of temperature and humidity distribution within the growing cell. The entire cell, consisting of eight levels of growing tables is simulated under daylight conditions, including the heat source from LED lights in the thermo-fluid dynamic air flow field. Results help to understand the main features of the air flow distribution. The comparison of the numerical results with measurements demonstrate the ability of the numerical approach to characterize the thermo-fluid dynamic flow field of the indoor farming system and the reliability of well-calibrated CFD simulations in controlling the air flow distribution, which is necessary to reduce energy consumption and to improve plant growth quality. Critical regions for the plant growth are identified within the farm based on the study of air speed uniformity and on the analysis of vapor pressure deficit (VPD). A growing table efficiency index is introduced based on the definitions of two dimensionless objective uniformity parameters. The analysis of these indices helps identifying differences in the fluid dynamic behaviour of the upper and lower floors of the cell and some deficiencies in the ventilation system ability to provide uniform air conditions to all the growing tables. Results show a symmetric behaviour of the left and right layers for upper floors, with tables in front of the evaporators showing better efficiencies. An opposite behaviour is observed on the lower floors, exhibiting a strong asymmetry between left and right layers. On the other hand, the VPD analysis reveale that certain regions near the evaporators and walls (with good flow uniformity) experience extreme conditions that could affect plant growth. The approach presented in this paper provides a detailed understanding of the indoor vertical farming environment and its impact on growth and yield of leafy greens. This, in turn, helps in the effort to optimize the vertical farm ventilation system and thus its energy, which remains the main issue of such cultivation plants.

Identification and Characterization of Mercury Contamination in Vegetables and Herbs Cultivated on a Commercial Vertical Indoor Farming System with Light-Emitting Diode Lighting: Unveiling an Unusual Food Safety Risk of Some Improperly Manufactured High-Density Agricultural Production Systems.

Artificial grow lights, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and fluorescent grow lights, are commonly used in modern day indoor farming, citing advantages in energy efficiency and a higher controlled environment. However, the use of LEDs poses a risk in mercury contaminations as a result of its production process, specifically LEDs with polyurethane encapsulates that were traditionally produced using mercury resins as a catalyst. A total of 10.0 ppm of mercury was detected in a curly kale sample harvested from an indoor hydroponic vegetable farm, exceeding Singapore Food Regulation's limit of 0.05 ppm. Vegetables, farming inputs, and surface swabs from the affected farm were analyzed using wet acid digestion followed by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis. The investigation found high concentrations of mercury in the LED encapsulant, and the encapsulant material was identified to be polyurethane by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, indicating the source of mercury contamination to be the LED polyurethane encapsulant.

Combined Effects of Different LED Light Recipes and Slow-Release Fertilizers on Baby Leaf Lettuce Growth for Vertical Farming: Modeling through DoE

The modern agriculture system based on open-field crops requires a lot of energy and resources in terms of soil, water, and chemicals. Vertical farming (VF) systems could be a viable alternative for some types of cultivation that are receiving interest thanks to their high modularity, optimized water and nutrients use, and LEDs employment as an energy-efficient light source. However, VF design and installation are expensive and require well-tailored optimization depending on the specific crop to increase its competitiveness. This work analyzed the effects of different combinations of NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) slow-release fertilizers and LED-based light recipes on the growth of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), taking advantage of the Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology. The type of slow-release fertilizer, its quantity measured as the number of aggregates from 0 to 6, and the type of light recipe were considered as input factors, and their possible influence on the growth of lettuce (in terms of morphological parameters) in a controlled indoor farming system was measured. Results suggest that using higher fertilizer inputs equal to six aggregates leads to an increase of average leaf area equal to 46% (from 13.00 cm2 to 19.00 cm2), while the fresh weight of lettuce increases by 65% (from 1.79 g to 2.96 g). However, the height of plants also depends on the combination of the light recipes. In particular, the separate coupling of higher inputs of two fertilizers and light recipes leads to an increase in the height of lettuce equal to 33% (from 6.00 cm to 8.00 cm).

Light spectrum effects on rocket and lamb's lettuce cultivated in a vertical indoor farming system

Rocket and lamb's lettuce are new leafy vegetables whose consumption in salads is increasing, especially as ready-to-eat products. These plants are often cultivated in greenhouses under artificial light, and are very important due to their pleasant taste, texture, and nutritional value to humans. The present study analyzes the effects of light quality provided by light emitting diodes (LEDs) on the yield and quality of different leafy vegetable species. Lamb's lettuce and rocket plants were grown in the same conditions under 4 light spectrums color fractions (NS-12, AP57, AP673L, and G2) for 27 and 37 days, respectively. Then fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll fluorescence, and chromatic characteristics were determined. The leaf quality of lamb's lettuce and rocket was characterized by measurements of the contents of carbohydrates, organic acids, and amino acids in leaves. Vegetative growth was significantly influenced by light quality and was species-dependent, and treatment with the highest proportion of Red:Blue light (G2) produced the highest fresh weight and maximum efficiency of PSII. The results of the chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were more influenced by the species rather than by the spectrum lights, except for the efficiency of PSII, which was higher in treatments with the lowest Red: Far-red ratio (AP67 and G2). G2 light spectrum reduces chlorophyll and carotenoid content compared to other treatments. Among all the primary metabolites analyzed, non-structural carbohydrates were the most dependent on light quality. Generally, the lights with the greatest effect on the parameters analyzed were those with higher Red:Blue ratios and a higher far-red fraction. No effect of light spectra on glutamate concentration was observed. However, a concentration increase was observed in treatments with a higher proportion of far-red light. Regarding organics acids, the different light spectrums did not affect the concentration of the majority of acids (citrate and malate) in rocket and lamb´s lettuce plants. The spectral composition of light has an influence on the quality and quantity of lamb's lettuce and rocket production. Therefore, each species studied responds differently to the light spectrums.

Detection of Defective Lettuce Seedlings Grown in an Indoor Environment under Different Lighting Conditions Using Deep Learning Algorithms.

Sorting seedlings is laborious and requires attention to identify damage. Separating healthy seedlings from damaged or defective seedlings is a critical task in indoor farming systems. However, sorting seedlings manually can be challenging and time-consuming, particularly under complex lighting conditions. Different indoor lighting conditions can affect the visual appearance of the seedlings, making it difficult for human operators to accurately identify and sort the seedlings consistently. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop a defective-lettuce-seedling-detection system under different indoor cultivation lighting systems using deep learning algorithms to automate the seedling sorting process. The seedling images were captured under different indoor lighting conditions, including white, blue, and red. The detection approach utilized and compared several deep learning algorithms, specifically CenterNet, YOLOv5, YOLOv7, and faster R-CNN to detect defective seedlings in indoor farming environments. The results demonstrated that the mean average precision (mAP) of YOLOv7 (97.2%) was the highest and could accurately detect defective lettuce seedlings compared to CenterNet (82.8%), YOLOv5 (96.5%), and faster R-CNN (88.6%). In terms of detection under different light variables, YOLOv7 also showed the highest detection rate under white and red/blue/white lighting. Overall, the detection of defective lettuce seedlings by YOLOv7 shows great potential for introducing automated seedling-sorting systems and classification under actual indoor farming conditions. Defective-seedling-detection can improve the efficiency of seedling-management operations in indoor farming.

Does the Environmental Air Impact the Condition of the Vomeronasal Organ? A Mouse Model for Intensive Farming.

Chemical communication in mammals is ensured by exchanging chemical signals through the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and its ability to detect pheromones. The alteration of this organ has been proven to impact animal life, participating in the onset of aggressive behaviors in social groups. To date, few studies have highlighted the possible causes leading to these alterations, and the farming environment has not been investigated, even though irritant substances such as ammonia are known to induce serious damage in the respiratory tract. The goal of this study was to investigate the environmental impact on the VNO structure. Thirty mice were split into three groups, one housed in normal laboratory conditions and the other two in confined environments, with or without the release of litter ammonia. VNOs were analyzed using histology and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the effect of different environments on their condition. Both restricted conditions induced VNO alterations (p = 0.0311), soft-tissue alteration (p = 0.0480), and nonsensory epithelium inflammation (p = 0.0024). There was glycogen accumulation (p < 0.0001), the olfactory marker protein was underexpressed (p < 0.0001), and Gαi2 positivity remained unchanged while Gαo expression was upregulated in confined conditions. VNO conditions seemed to worsen with ammonia, even if not always significantly. These murine model results suggest that the housing environment can strongly impact VNO conditions, providing novel insights for improving indoor farming systems.

Shedding light on a hot topic: Tuberisation in potato

AbstractGrowing small seedling tubers from true seed, comparable with mini tubers, in controlled conditions could be a method to multiply healthy starting material of potato. In indoor farming systems, the conditions can be optimised for high production. In field trials, it is impossible to investigate the effects of environmental factors such as temperature and light separately. In this study, we performed three climate room experiments in which the effects of light intensity, temperature and percentage of far‐red light in the light spectrum on tuber production were assessed. We found that increasing the average temperature reduced tuber number and tuber weight. Increasing the diurnal temperature variation while keeping the average temperature equal resulted in increased tuber size. The light treatments on the other hand only affected the number of tubers per plant: increasing light intensity and increasing the percentage of far‐red light in the spectrum enhanced the number of tubers. Moreover, interaction in tuber production between inbred lines and temperature was significant, with some inbred lines being relatively tolerant to high temperature. These findings will help breed for heat tolerant varieties and optimise growing conditions for tuber production in indoor farming systems.

Mobile robotics platform for strawberry sensing and harvesting within precision indoor farming systems

AbstractIndoor farming is expected to have an increasing impact on future food and agricultural systems. It can produce crops year‐round without relying on weather patterns, bringing crop production systems closer to advanced manufacturing systems for industrial and consumer goods. Indoor farming also provides an ideal platform for implementing intelligence‐driven and empowered agricultural systems that can autonomously gather/process data, build a knowledge base, provide management decision support, and execute crop cultural tasks. Towards that goal, a mobile robotics platform (MRP) has been under development. This platform will provide new capabilities for implementing indoor farming cyber–physical systems. The ultimate purpose is to equip the MRP with systematically integrated capabilities of perception, reasoning, learning, communication, and task planning/execution for use in precision indoor farming systems. This presentation reports the current state of MRP's development. The MRP can monitor the growing status of individual strawberry plants and fruit with a perception system and nondestructively harvest individual ripe strawberries with an onboard robot. The robotic system has a stereo camera, a six‐degrees of freedom robotic manipulator, and a pneumatically actuated soft gripper (i.e., end‐effector) mounted on an autonomous mobile base. These subsystems were specifically chosen from commercially available products. An open‐loop fruit positioning and handling algorithm, in a software form, capable of performing the tasks of fruit detection, localization, grasping, detachment, and placement, has been developed. The location and ripeness of each fruit can be simultaneously obtained through deep learning techniques. We found that a mean average precision value of 96.4% for ripe strawberries could be obtained in a custom indoor strawberry data set. Three‐dimensional (3D) locations of individual strawberries are used in the motion planner to guide the movements of the mobile platform, manipulator, and end‐effector. The robot can autonomously classify each strawberry fruit's growth scene through the fusion of the detection results and the corresponding depth information, to determine whether to perform the harvesting action. The accuracy of the proposed strawberry growth scene categorization approach is 89.1%, and the weighted‐averaged F1 score is 0.7. The soft gripper can approach and gently hold a target strawberry fruit. A novel approach for fruit detachment has been developed to separate the fruit's sepal and the stalk by a drag‐and‐rotate motion. The experiments conducted in a commercial indoor strawberry farm showed an overall success rate of 78% in handling harvestable strawberries with a damage rate of 23%. The average harvesting cycle time was found to be 10.5 s. We found that poor fruit visibility mainly reduced the success rate of the target fruit's robotic detection and grasping action. The grasping and detachment tasks were affected by fruit size and stalk length. These factors together determined the overall harvesting performance of the robotic system. The robotic system showed better performance when harvesting fruit of small size (width is less than 31 mm and height is less than 33 mm) with a medium stalk (between 81 and 101 mm). The MRP's functions are expected to be transferable and expandable to other crop production monitoring and cultural tasks.