iTHEMS Biology Seminar by Hirokazu Fukuda on October 17, 2024

On October 17, Dr Hirokazu Fukuda delivered a thought-provoking presentation titled “Digital Twinning of Plant Internal Clocks for Robotics and Virtual Reality Enhancements in Agriculture.”

In Japan, the agricultural workforce has decreased by more than 30% over the past decade, creating a growing demand for technological innovations like robotics and AI to support the industry.

Dr Fukuda shared his theoretical research, which focuses on understanding so-called, biological clocks that regulate our physiological processes. He has applied this knowledge to operate plant factories, successfully cultivating crops such as lettuce. He emphasized the importance of real-time 3D simulations in future "AI plant factories," where robots will play a central role based on data gathered from sensors within the facility.

During his presentation, Dr Fukuda highlighted the role of mathematical research, especially in developing predictive models for plant growth. The seminar, held via Zoom, attracted more than 30 participants and sparked an active and engaging discussion. Thanks Fukuda san for great presentation!!

Reported by Gen Kurosawa