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About

Tomoo Shiigi is a pioneering researcher in agricultural robotics, specializing in machine vision systems, robotic harvesting, and indoor positioning technologies for greenhouse environments. His work addresses one of Japan's most pressing challenges — the aging and shrinking agricultural workforce — by developing intelligent automation solutions that reduce dependence on manual labor. Shiigi's most celebrated contribution is his development of a cluster-harvesting end-effector for tomato robots, which garnered 97 citations and represented a significant leap in harvest efficiency by targeting entire fruit clusters rather than individual tomatoes. Complementing this, his machine vision systems for tomato harvesting and grafting robots (46 and 32 citations, respectively) demonstrated sophisticated image processing capabilities using backlighting LEDs and high-resolution cameras to sort and grade seedlings with precision. Beyond harvesting, Shiigi has made notable strides in greenhouse robot navigation, developing spread spectrum sound-based positioning systems capable of centimeter-level accuracy — a technically demanding achievement in complex indoor agricultural settings. His temperature-compensation and self-calibration methods further refine these systems for real-world reliability. Collectively, his research portfolio reflects a coherent vision: creating fully integrated robotic systems that can autonomously perceive, navigate, and operate within modern greenhouse environments, making him a significant figure in precision agriculture robotics.