A modular Agritech framework for sustainable horticulture systems:Development and validation in the kiwifruit industryOA

Horticulture is facing growing challenges,including labour shortages,environmental sustainability,and the need for increased productivity.To address these issues,this paper proposes Modular Agritech Systems for Horticulture(MAS-H),a modular framework designed to promote the reuse of hardware,software,and capabilities,enabling growers to equitably access and collaboratively use advanced technologies.MAS-H integrates modular edge robotics and an industry-good digital twin to optimize labour,reduce waste,and improve sustainability.The paper presents three case studies within the kiwifruit industry—human assisted harvesting,labour decision support(flower bud thinning)and modular field robot for multitask operations—demonstrating the potential of a framework to address key challenges.Future research will focus on validating MAS-H in real-world settings,exploring its application across other horticulture domains,and developing sustainable support systems.The findings highlight the potential of MAS-H to revolutionize horticulture by delivering Industry 4.0 capabilities where they may not otherwise be commercially viable,desirable,or usable.