In the heart of urban landscapes, a revolution is sprouting, challenging the conventions of traditional agriculture. At Opollo Farm, robots glide through a meticulously controlled environment, shifting crops to ensure an optimal balance of water and nutrients. This precision farming technique yields harvest-ready greens in a mere 15 days—half the time of conventional farming—and all within miles of the consumer’s table.
Opollo Farm is not just a testament to technological prowess but a response to some of the most pressing challenges in agriculture today: labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, water scarcity, and the growing demand for fresher, locally grown food. “We’re constantly exploring new ways to bring fresh, sustainable food to our customers,” says Chris Petroulakis, Category Merchant for Produce at Whole Foods Market. “Opollo Farm is a perfect example of how advanced technology can revolutionize local agriculture, helping to deliver high-quality, locally grown produce right to our stores faster and fresher than ever before.”
The farm’s innovative approach is made possible through a collaboration with AutoStore, a leader in robotics technology. “Opollo Farm shows what’s possible when proven automation meets global challenges like food supply resilience and sustainability,” says Parth Joshi, Chief Product Officer at AutoStore. “Our work with OnePointOne highlights the versatility of AutoStore, moving and storing goods for everyone, everywhere, across diverse industries and use cases. From order fulfillment for leading brands to scaling urban farming, we’re enabling smarter, more resilient solutions.”
The implications of this technology are profound. Traditional farming is resource-intensive, consuming vast amounts of water and land—resources that are becoming increasingly scarce. “With AutoStore’s modular robotics and our plant production technology, we can grow food almost anywhere using a fraction of those resources,” says Sam Bertram, CEO at OnePointOne. “This collaboration helps overcome the cost and scalability challenges of vertical farming, finally making locally grown produce—the number one priority for US consumers—possible even in urban areas.”
The significance of such innovations is further underscored by the upcoming 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, which will spotlight robotics as a key focus area. The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast-moving omnichannel world, recognizing breakthroughs that enhance efficiency and profitability. Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor of RTIH, emphasized the importance of these innovations in his welcome speech: “We’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations—resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”
As Opollo Farm demonstrates, the integration of robotics and precision agriculture is not just a futuristic concept but a tangible solution to some of the most urgent challenges in food production. By bringing fresh, sustainable produce closer to consumers, this technology is poised to reshape the agricultural landscape, making urban farming a viable and scalable reality.