VISALIA, CA - They say you put your money where your mouth is, and that is exactly what Oppy has done with its latest investment. As the provider looks to accelerate innovation across its operations, Oppy is furthering its partnership with Bloomfield Robotics by investing in its first-ever technology venture following successful trials within its table grape program.

“Grapes are just the beginning,” said Garland Perkins, Senior Manager of Innovation and Sustainability at Oppy. “We’re confident that we’ll roll this tech out into other categories in the near future—and with Oppy’s diverse portfolio, we have a wide array of applications to trial.”

Bloomfield Robotics implements its proprietary FLASH camera, which is attached to a moving vehicle, such as an ATV or tractor. That data collected is processed through its deep learning AI to forecast and manage yield down to the cluster level, detecting and measuring morphologic and phenotypic information, a press release explained. The partners’ second season is now underway, and they are working toward commercialization.

The innovator’s forecasting capabilities can reportedly provide significantly more data than in-field scouting. The AI also helps strategically guide the grower’s commercial crop decisions with precise accuracy, Perkins noted in the press release.

“We’re honored and excited to be working so closely with Oppy in an effort to further digitalize their crops,” said Mark DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer of Bloomfield Robotics. “Our team looks forward to supporting Oppy, a company that has grown and delivered fruits and vegetables from around the world for nearly 165 years.”

Perkins continued, stating, “This valuable and strategic investment in our supply chain underlines our dedication to this technology.”

What’s next for the two partners? ANUK will be sure to report.

Oppy