SAMI Robotics' AI-Powered Lettuce Harvesting

The Robotic Revolution in Lettuce Harvesting

Sami Robotics, a Quebec-based startup, is not just experimenting, but selling commercially. It's already sold romaine lettuce that was harvested commercially in Quebec through the 2025 season. As a launch point for SAMI, the robotic arms move at once, cutting romaine lettuce with nobody in the field. Built by SAMI Robotics, this platform carries 12 to 18 arms working in parallel. "It's working with AI and cameras to check every plant. Then it cuts only the heads that have reached size," the narrator explains. The rest are left standing for the next pass, mimicking a human cutter.

Tailoring to the Labor Shortage

The lack of skilled farm labor is an issue that can no longer be ignored. The reasons for non-labor-sensitive crops are clear, with the harvest specifically difficult. Where SAMI excels is where the workforce shortages are most severe. "Most head lettuce is still cut by hand." It takes a crew of about 10 cutters and 16 packers, stackers, and drivers to get through 2,500 to 3,000 cartons in an eight-hour day. This crew is getting harder to find. Farms report an average shortfall of 20% despite hiring efforts. SAMI Robotics is here to fill this gap, leveraging its ability to reduce a well-structured crew of hands down to one machine that works parallel into the workforce.

Making Use of the Platform

Sami robotic arms are all about using AI and auxiliary parts. The platform hosts a long list of tools that will navigate through a farm, such as:

• Lighting: It can run day and night because it brings its own lighting. As it harvests, it also reads the field.
• Forecasting: It forecasts which plants will be ready in the days ahead.
• Parallel Work: The platform carries 12 to 18 arms working in parallel. These are the perks of the SAMI platform being a robotic giant in tailored environments.

Ease of Use

As the robotic harvesters weave through the fields, their movements mimic the careful harvest of experienced human hands, but with the efficiency and continuity of machines. While a crew of 26 humans might take eight hours to harvest 3,000 cartons, SAMI can now harvest a comparable amount.

Track the Lifetime of the Plant

SAMI has set its eyes on expanding the capabilities of its robotic arms which is undoubtedly a herculean task. The current SAMI platform is being built to weed, thin, fertilize, and spot treat pests. It is not idle for 10 months a year. In July 2026, Western Growers picked SAMI for the first sponsored residency in commercial California fields. Costs have not been determined yet, but it is an exciting prospect. Whether it beats a hand crew on cost is the question the Salinas season has to answer.

Expanding to Other Plants

The SAMI platform is not just limited to lettuce. "Romaine is next in line with iceberg, cauliflower, and artichoke on the roadmap." The platform is being built to help farmers all year round. The transition from romaine lettuce to other plants is not a radical change but will allow the company to make its “workman” versatile.

The Cost Factor

While SAMI’s engineering is impressive, the key question remains: whether it beats a hand crew on cost. It remains to be seen if the next season will give a favorable response for the cost-efficient SAMI. The platform’s ability to forecast, navigate, and harvest with unmatched precision is commendable, and the incoming seasons will surely bring more insight into its pricing and cost-efficiency. The Summer Salinas season is an exciting few months for the SAMI company.