Western University, Ontario – August 2025
In response to a global shortage of agricultural labor, a groundbreaking innovation from Canada could transform the mushroom farming industry. Dr. Mehrdad R. Kermani, a leading robotics researcher at Western University, has developed the first commercialized autonomous mushroom harvesting robot, capable of picking mushrooms with the same precision and care as a human hand.
A Technological Answer to a Global Challenge
Nearly a decade ago, mushroom grower Murray Good approached Dr. Kermani with a unique challenge: build a robot that could pick mushrooms in dense beds, with the same adaptability and delicacy as human workers.
After years of intense research, Kermani and his team achieved what others could not—a robotic system with a soft-touch grip, capable of integrating seamlessly into existing farms across North America. The robot can detect ripeness, gently harvest mushrooms, and even revisit unripe ones later, thanks to its 24/7 operation.
Engineering Precision Meets Agricultural Need
What seems like a simple task for humans—grasping a mushroom—proved highly complex for machines. “Humans adjust their grip instinctively. Sometimes they twist, bend, or slightly shift their technique,” Kermani explained.
The robot uses a vision system to assess mushroom size, a key indicator of ripeness. If a mushroom isn’t ready, the system logs its location and returns later, maximizing yield while preventing spoilage.
From Lab to Farm
This innovation led to the creation of Mycionics, a company founded by Good in 2014. With commercialization starting in 2018 and support from Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen), the harvesting system is now being deployed in real-world environments.
Kermani sees this as a perfect example of academic research solving real global issues: “With a growing global population and fewer agricultural workers, we need to produce more food affordably. This robot is part of the solution.”
