China has developed GEAIR, the world’s first AI-powered breeding robot, accelerating hybrid plant breeding and boosting agricultural productivity.
Chinese scientists have achieved a breakthrough in intelligent crop breeding. By combining biotechnology (BT) with artificial intelligence (AI), the research team introduced the world’s first crop–robot co-design concept. Using gene editing, they redesigned the crop flower structures to create “robot-friendly” structural male-sterile flowers. This enabled the development of GEAIR（吉儿), the world’s first AI-powered plant breeding robot.
The team integrated GEAIR with new-generation breeding tools such as de novo domestication and speed breeding methods. Together, they built the first “intelligent robotic breeding factory”, capable of producing high-quality varieties faster and with greater precision.
GEAIR has already been tested in soybean breeding. It can cruise fields and perform hybrid pollination automatically. For the first time, scientists have created structural male-sterile soybean lines in record time. This breakthrough could help China overcome barriers in soybean hybrid breeding and significantly boost yields.
The researchers also proposed a new “BAR model”– BT foundation + AI empowerment + Robot operator. This marks the completion of a fully independent, closed-loop system for intelligent robot breeding in China. The achievement shows how “AI for Science” can drive a fundamental shift in crop breeding methods.
The results have not only advanced breeding theory but are also already in commercial use. In addition, the research team will apply this achievement to different crops.
Additional reporting by CNS and Global Times.
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