Dongyi Wang, an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas and the Division of Agriculture, received a $511,074 Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program award from the National Science Foundation on Apr. 22 to develop autonomous manufacturing systems that can handle soft foods such as meat products and fruits.
The project aims to address challenges in food processing where robots have struggled to match human dexterity in handling items with varying textures and shapes. Improving automation in this sector could help alleviate labor shortages and improve working conditions for employees.
Wang said his work will allow robots “to perceive and respond to product texture without physical contact,” supporting autonomous food processing, improving product quality, and strengthening domestic food supply chains. The project will involve customizing robotic arms with hyperspectral imaging sensors that use light to reveal chemical signatures—helping determine protein, moisture, fat values, and ultimately the softness or firmness of foods so robots know how much force to apply when gripping them.
To teach these robots how to manipulate soft foods effectively, Wang will employ imitation learning algorithms combined with camera perceptions. Humans will demonstrate proper handling using computer sticks or paddles as examples for the robot’s training process. He has previously developed technology called ChicGrasp—a dual-jaw robotic gripper capable of grasping chicken carcasses by their legs for processing—which will be enhanced through hyperspectral sensing.
Another goal is ensuring these systems can transfer their learned skills from one type of food item—such as chicken or berries—to others like oranges or apples without extensive retraining. According to the National Science Foundation CAREER awards are “the NSF’s most prestigious award” for early career faculty who have potential as academic role models in research and education.
Wang holds appointments in both engineering and food science departments at the university. His research is conducted through the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station—the research arm of the Division of Agriculture—and is supported by organizations such as the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service which receives funding through federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state appropriations according to the official website.
The Cooperative Extension Service supports social cohesion across rural, urban, and suburban communities by offering programs tailored to local needs according to its official website. It utilizes county offices along with research centers throughout Arkansas for program delivery according to its official website, operating in all 75 counties with specialists based on five university campuses according to its official website. The service is part of the University System Division of Agriculture according to its official website and aims “to enhance agriculture, communities and families through application of research-backed practices” according to its official website.
