Catherwood LibraryILR School

Researchers in California have developed technology that would mechanize the harvesting of fresh market fruits and vegetables. Until now, these delicate crops had to be handpicked because they are easily bruised. With the innovation of the ?Lettuce Bot,? a machine can be counted on to thin a field of lettuce in the time it takes 20 workers to do the job by hand. Though the technology is expensive, farmers are applauding the robots as a relief from labor shortages as well as the questionable impact of immigration reform.