eternal.ag and Rijk Zwaan Partner to Explore Tomato Traits for Robotic Greenhouse Operations
Collaboration aims to identify tomato varieties best suited for automated harvesting and crop management in next-generation greenhouses
02 June 2026, Germany: Agricultural robotics company eternal.ag and vegetable breeding specialist Rijk Zwaan have announced a collaboration to explore tomato plant traits that can support robotic crop operations in greenhouse environments. The initiative seeks to identify characteristics that enable efficient interaction between crops and autonomous systems as the greenhouse industry moves toward greater automation.
The partnership combines Rijk Zwaan’s expertise in fruit and vegetable breeding with eternal.ag’s capabilities in robotics and artificial intelligence. Together, the companies will investigate how specific tomato varieties and plant architectures can improve the performance of robotic systems used for tasks such as harvesting and crop management.
A key focus of the collaboration will be understanding which plant traits are most compatible with robotic operations in high-tech greenhouses. Researchers will evaluate factors such as fruit accessibility, plant structure, and canopy design that could help robots operate more consistently and efficiently.
The initiative comes at a time when greenhouse growers worldwide are facing increasing labour shortages and rising production costs. These challenges are accelerating the adoption of automation technologies to maintain productivity and ensure a stable food supply. By aligning advances in crop genetics with developments in robotics, the partners aim to contribute to more scalable, efficient, and predictable greenhouse production systems.
“Robotics will play an important role in the future of automated greenhouses,” said Michiel Zwaan, Crop Manager Berries & Tomato at Rijk Zwaan. “That’s why working together is important. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to test ideas in practice and better understand how crop traits can support robotic operations.”
Renji John, Co-founder and CEO of eternal.ag, said the partnership reflects a long-term vision of integrating plant science with advanced automation technologies.
“By bringing together research, technical expertise, and practical application, we aim to bridge the gap between robotics and crop genetics,” John said. “The ultimate goal is to improve crop performance and help address future food production challenges as greenhouse automation becomes increasingly important.”
As part of the collaboration, eternal.ag’s Harvester robot will be showcased at Rijk Zwaan’s Trial Center High-Tech (TCHT) in De Lier, the Netherlands, during the week beginning June 8, 2026. The demonstration will provide growers and industry stakeholders with an opportunity to observe robotic harvesting technology operating within a commercial greenhouse setting.
The collaboration highlights the growing convergence of plant breeding, artificial intelligence, and robotics as the protected cultivation sector seeks innovative solutions to improve productivity, reduce dependence on manual labour, and enhance the sustainability of food production.
Global Agriculture is an independent international media platform covering agri-business, policy, technology, and sustainability. For editorial collaborations, thought leadership, and strategic communications, write to pr@global-agriculture.com
