Robotic Weeding Takes root at FIRA USA
Carmichael, CA – A surge in agricultural robotics focused on precision weeding was on display at โFIRA USA, an event showcasing the latest in farmโ technology.Several companies presented โinnovativeโ solutions aimedโฃ at reducing labor costs and improving efficiency in vegetable andโ field crop production.
One standout was the SharpShooter,developed by Blue River Technology (a John Deere โขcompany). This system delivers herbicide directly to weeds next to crops, and can expand coverage by creating a spiral sprayโฃ pattern โขup to the size โคof a dinnerโ plate. The base model costs $350,000, withโค additional expensesโฃ for software updates tailored to specific crop identification. Leasing options are available, and over 20 units are currentlyโค operating โขin California, โขtargeting โcropsโฃ like lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, carrots, spinach, and melons. According to Blue River’s representative, John Yagow, “We’ve had some customers that, in extreme conditions, have โขspent $14,000 โanโข acre โฃon hand weeding, so they’re already seeing โgreat ROI (returnโค on investment) in just a few months.”
Bonsai Roboticsโค showcased its Amiga Flex, aโข modular, battery-operated robot designed for maneuverabilityโข between rows or โขabove crops. The robot’s width and toolโฃ configuration are customizable to farmerโ needs, and can โbe operatedโ remotely via smartphone using a Starlinkโข connection. โขArav Gupta, โคa sales engineer for theโฃ San Jose-based โขcompany, explained โthatโค the โAmiga can assistโ workers by following themโ down โrows, โฃallowingโค them to โคsimply stack collection โbarrelsโ on the robot, which then autonomously transports themโค to processing facilities. Gupta also noted theโข robot’s towing capacity, stating it “can โคcarry everything you โขneed right toโ the spot you’re standingโฃ in โyour field” for tasks like irrigation.
Tensorfieldโ Agriculture, โbased in Unionโค City, presented the Jetty, an AI-powered weeding robot for organic vegetable crops.The Jetty utilizes thermal microjets โto spray superheated vegetable oil on weeds,โข effectively killing them within the crop canopy. CEO and co-founder Xiong Chang reported โคaโ “76% labor reduction in โhand-weeding,” leading to a rapid and substantial ROI.โฃ Currently in the prototype stage, the โJetty is operated by a humanโข driver, with โขthe ultimate โgoal โคof full autonomy.
Solinftecโข introduced Solix, a battery- and solar-poweredโข weeding and spraying system geared towards larger-scale production of both field and specialty crops. โฃThe autonomousโ robot is adjustable to crop height and row width, and can accommodate tools from various manufacturers. It features an autonomous return-to-base system for refills,โ resuming spraying operations where it left โoff. Chris Dillard, a product managerโ for the Kansas-based company, highlighted its continuous operation, stating that โคSolix can “remain in the fields 24/7 monitoring cropsโฃ from planting to harvest.” Their primary customers are currently corn and soybeanโค farmers.
Theโค event fostered a valuable exchange betweenโ technology โฃdevelopers โฃand โขpotential โcustomers. Danilo Leao, founder andโฃ CEO of BovControl and RaizBot.AI,โข emphasized the importance of this interaction, noting the โค”convergence of robotics and AI” as especially “most โคimpressive.” โฃHe described โFIRA as “a great way to see these tools up โclose,” and added, “It’s getting much more exciting.”
