https://en.people.cn/n3/2026/0408/c90000-20444540.html
Innovative technologies are increasingly being adopted to support the agricultural production of China.
In this context, GEAIR may be the world’s first full-process intelligent breeding robot. Developed by the CAS Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, GEAIR integrates biotechnology with AI to enable automated hybrid pollination powered by AI. Now in stable commercial operation, it has greatly reduced breeding costs and shortened breeding cycles.
The GEAIR concept uses CRISPR-Cas9, a precision gene-editing tool, to target B-class MADS-box genes such as GLO2 in tomatoes, which regulate flower development. The result is plants that are both male-sterile (eliminating the need for emasculation) and have protruding stigmas, making them easy for robots to access. The robot is equipped with deep learning-based computer vision that identifies ready flowers and uses a precision arm to deposit pollen.
When paired with speed breeding (accelerating growth via extended light cycles) and de novo domestication (rapidly incorporating wild traits), GEAIR slashes breeding timelines. The team demonstrated this by developing new tomato lines with richer flavor and better stress tolerance—and the approach works for soybeans too, pointing to broad agricultural applications.
