Photo taken on September 24, 2025 shows a cotton intelligent cotton topping robot works at Laolonghe Jiayuan Farm in Changji City, Changji Hui Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/Yang Liting)

　During the cotton plant's growth stage, moisture and nutrients are directed primarily to the top. Topping removes this top growth, which helps reduce wasted nutrient consumption and leads to higher yields and increased income. Xinjiang is a leading cotton-growing region in China. While processes like sowing, laying plastic film, irrigation, and picking are now fully mechanized, cotton topping has remained largely dependent on manual labor.

In 2024, the intelligent cotton topping robot underwent trial use in Alar City and Shihezi City. At the demonstration event held on September 24, a new nine-row model was used to perform the topping operation with millimeter accuracy, showing a significant efficiency increase over manual methods.

The robot demonstrated is equipped with 108 mechanical arms and a flexible chassis that spans 6.8 meters horizontally. Its 1.7-meter ground clearance allows it to work accurately within Xinjiang's common "one film, six rows" planting pattern. It can dynamically adjust its topping strategy and operate continuously, even at night.

"This intelligent cotton-topping robot is expected to be officially available next June," said Wu Fan, a technical lead at Shenzhen Weier Technology Co., Ltd. The robot's "Jingwei" platform integrates four core components: an intelligent on-device system, a cloud-based data hub, a flexible chassis, and precision agricultural tools. These elements work together to form a comprehensive smart farming system.

Dong Li, deputy secretary of the leading Party members group and director of the Industry and Information Technology Bureau for the 12th Division of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, said that the intelligent topping robot acts like a key, unlocking transformative potential across the entire cotton industry chain. For cotton farmers, this technology promises to lighten the workload and improve efficiency. For companies, it offers a pathway to expand their technological reach into international markets. This innovation combines efforts from industry, academia, research, and practical application. It will advance standardized planting and digital management, helping the "Xinjiang Cotton" brand move towards higher quality and more sustainable production.

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