{
  "id": 8148234,
  "title": "Robots grow and package lettuce year-round in Norway's fully automated farm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/robots-grow-and-package-lettuce-year-round-in-norways-fully-automated",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-18T01:40:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-robots-package-lettuce-year-norway.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Last fall, Norway inaugurated its first fully automated greenhouse for vegetable production. Himmelgrønt AS, a collaboration between supermarket chain Coop Norge and technology firm Avisomo, is responsible for operating this facility in Gardermoen, near Oslo. The automated system manages every aspect of lettuce cultivation, from sowing to packaging, without any human intervention. This innovative approach ensures a consistent supply of fresh produce year-round, eliminating the need for imports and reducing pesticide usage. The lettuce, grown using vertical farming techniques, enjoys a shelf life of up to 12 weeks, significantly extending its availability in stores. As a result, supermarkets can offer a wider variety of salad products, potentially boosting customer sales. The automation process also addresses labor shortages in Norway by minimizing the need for human workers, thereby improving safety conditions. Additionally, the technology can be adapted for growing other vegetables like berries, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Researchers from SINTEF are exploring the potential for further automation in Norway, aiming to scale up production and make vertical farming a more attractive and sustainable option for the country's agriculture sector.",
  "summary": "Norway's first fully automated facility for vegetable production was put into operation last fall. This spring, the first products hit store shelves.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}