Amazon's AutoStore Grocery System: Vertical Farming

It’s been a year of considerable losses for many vertical farms. A high-tech farm, however, survived by passing as a grocery store. This success relies on AutoStore, a system designed for grocery automation, not agriculture. But why pass such a farm off as a store? And what makes it different from failed vertical farms?

Apollo Farm: A Vertical Farm by Disguise

Apollo Farm, tucked in a warehouse in Arizona, shares little with the open fields and meticulous care of traditional farms. Instead, it’s a closed, climate-controlled system that uses only nutrient water. 1.1 and AutoStore are the brains behind this operation. They grow nutrient-water-fed greens and have achieved something that many vertical farms have not. Within 15 days, they have greens on Whole Foods’ shelves. The farm’s quick harvests are due in part to a lack of soil. Soil's weight and depth slow down growth, and plant diseases thrive in soil. Nutrient water, however, can even be modified by the growth stage. The farm relies on a 24-7 AI for automation, harnessing existing robots for this process, rather than creating a new robot to automate processes. Instead of a field, Apollo Farm is just a box next to the store, keeping greens convenient and accessible. The system saves a lot of space, with plants being grown from bins filled with nutrient water. As Apollo Farm is next to the store, it keeps transport costs low and minimizes the time between harvest and retail. There are no traditional chemical pesticides here either, so consumers can rest easy knowing that Apollo Farm's greens are chemical-free while reducing its impact on the environment. The greens are already on Whole Foods' shelves. The water use is 95% less than that of a traditional farm.

Vertical Farming’s Rocky Road

Apollo Farm was built right after several high-profile vertical farms failed. Bowery, a big name in vertical farming, raised $938 million, only to shut down recently. On top of that, Plenty, a competitor, raised more than a billion dollars and went bankrupt. Since then, another 14 farms have gone under. Vertical farming, an industry facing high startup costs, expensive electricity, and significant time commitments, continues to attract investment, even while failing. Many companies, however, are unable to stay afloat. Vertical farming was supposed to be dead, but it’s not; Apollo Farm is now flourishing. But why does Apollo Farm avoid these problems while other vertical farms are shutting down? It’s all about how Apollo Farm uses existing systems, such as the AutoStore, to grow food.

The Inner Workings of Apollo Farm

Growing food quickly and storing is a challenge, but this farm accomplishes it. First, the seeds go into bins. Then, they receive only nutrient water and grow without the soil or pesticides that plague traditional farms. The AI system that runs Apollo Farm also plays an essential part in its success. It’s a system that never sleeps, automating every step of the process. The AI system handles everything from the time of harvest to the time of transport. This automation and quickness allow the farm to keep its costs to a minimum and keeps transport costs low. The AI system also allows the farm to utilize its available space to the fullest, as it can easily adjust to shifting conditions and keep the outputs consistent. The AI also tracks the harvest times and ensures the farm has greens ready for transport when it’s efficient.

The Robots That Make It All Go

The crucial reason behind Apollo Farm's success is the fact that it does not rely on success on a novel technology; instead, it uses AutoStore, a robot system that already exists. The farm leverages existing robotic arms that pick online orders in thousands of warehouses around the world. Instead of farming, these robots bundle groceries in stores. For this reason, Apollo Farm survives. The farm takes the existing robot system, removes the normally grocery-picking robots, and uses them to grow food. It cuts costs and avoids the need for new tech development, ensuring success.

The Placement: Convenience and Efficiency

Apollo Farm’s unconventional placement is key to its model. It’s not a farm tucked away on the outskirts of town, but right next to a grocery store. Think of it as a farm that stops being a farm and becomes a grocery store. This cuts down on transport costs and time: the AI, set to run 24-7, and the ready food are all just steps away. Apollo Farm’s use of existing resources and quick production time guarantees that the food supply is steady. The greens will always be fresh, and the farm will keep on. By cutting out the middleman, the farm bypasses the transport process that usually slows down food reaching customers.

Tips for the Future of Farming

Amazon’s AutoStore system may not be the correct choice for farming in the immediate future, but the use of existing infrastructure is. For instance, communities can partner with robotics companies. They can retrofit existing stores and warehouses. They can grow food in urban spaces, cutting down on transport costs and times. Existing robotics and AI systems can be adapted to handle food production in urban areas, ensuring food security and access. Urban farming is currently seeing a boom in interest, as it gives farming a whole new meaning. Urban farming could potentially work to increase crop diversity and food security, particularly in urban and high-density populations.