Arizona State University reported how alumnus Raghu Nandivada’s startup, Padma AgRobotics, was developing several labor-saving farm systems. One project involved a robot intended to harvest, bunch and wrap cilantro, while another focused on autonomous spraying in collaboration with a local grower. These initiatives were described as development work, not mature products with verified performance data.
The company had also field-tested a mobile AI scarecrow at Blue Sky Organic Farms in Arizona. The system uses a moving inflatable figure to deter birds and was refined through repeated site visits and grower feedback. ASU described the initiative as a response to growers’ labor requirements, with additional optimization and practical validation still needed.
