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About

Mitsuji Monta is a pioneering researcher in agricultural robotics, specializing in the automation of horticultural tasks including fruit harvesting, crop spraying, and plant propagation. Based at Okayama University, Monta has dedicated his career to developing intelligent robotic systems that address labor shortages and improve efficiency in greenhouse and field agriculture across Japan and beyond. His most influential contribution is the development of a tomato cluster harvesting robot, complete with a specialized end-effector capable of harvesting entire fruit clusters rather than individual tomatoes — a breakthrough that significantly improves harvesting efficiency in Dutch-style greenhouse systems. This work has garnered 97 citations, reflecting its substantial impact on the field. Complementing this, his machine vision system for cluster recognition has attracted a further 46 citations, demonstrating his expertise in integrating perception and manipulation. Monta's research spans multiple crops, including strawberries grown on table-top and hydroponic systems, eggplants trained in V-shaped configurations, and grapes requiring automated spraying. He has also addressed plant propagation through a chrysanthemum cutting sticking robot. With cumulative citations exceeding 280 across his key publications, Monta's work represents a foundational body of research that continues to inspire the next generation of precision agriculture and agricultural automation researchers worldwide.