The UCR team addressed that challenge by integrating a wheeled mobile robot, an electromagnetic induction sensor, onboard localization and a planning algorithm designed for orchard-scale operation. The system allows the robot to navigate orchard rows, prioritize important sampling locations and collect dense soil data within a fixed operating window.

Ozkan, a professor of electrical and computer engineering in UC Riverside’s Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering, co-authored the paper with Paul R. Sanberg, president of the National Academy of Inventors. The work grew out of Ozkan’s role as a 2025 NAI Invention Ambassador, a leadership position focused on collaboration, translational research, and inventor engagement across academic institutions.

Over three days, participants stepped into the role of future faculty, presenting research, engaging with academic leaders, and navigating the complexities of the faculty hiring process.

UC Riverside’s Information Technology Solutions (ITS) team is encouraging the campus community to prioritize data security by using a growing number of university-vetted artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, such Gemini and Notebook LM