DASH focuses on working together and getting real world tools into the hands of farmers and ranchers, and the BenchBot (pictured), is one component. This low cost, autonomous research robot moves along a crop field automatically capturing and analyzing detailed plant images using built in cameras and computers. The images help train machine learning models for real world agricultural applications.

Researchers DASH to Improve Crop Management

ARS scientists are taking on a grand challenge to develop innovative, scalable solutions for agriculture’s biggest issues. Through the new Digital Agriculture Systems Hub (DASH), researchers can move innovative research ideas through the proof-of-concept phase into the deployable, scalable solutions phase more quickly and efficiently. DASH provides the framework for this transformation, by emphasizing collaboration, creating standardization, and enterprise-level, on-the-ground deployment of new technology. DASH services will include robust phenotyping systems, standardized metadata, automated deployment, and stakeholder-driven designs to ensure scalability and reproducibility. Learn more...

The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.