Following the machines, people and ideas shaping agriculture. Selected developments, clear context and a link to the original source.
Robotics. Intelligence. Agriculture.
463 stories matching “AI”.
The AGRO research project described an autonomous ground rover for field data collection, combining machine learning, mapping and obstacle avoidance with an application in estimating pistachio yields from collected observations.
The CropNav research preprint proposed switching between lidar row following and waypoint navigation to help small agricultural robots move through crop canopies where satellite positioning becomes unreliable or unavailable.
Queen Mary researchers, Extend Robotics and Saffron Grange investigated robotic grape picking using optical analysis, pressure-sensitive handling and remote interfaces, aiming to improve decisions about fruit ripeness and harvest timing.
Researchers tested IIT’s HyQReal quadruped in an Italian vineyard in 2021, comparing locomotion on tilled and grassed inter-row ground as an early investigation of legged robots in agriculture.
TUM researchers demonstrated a moving prototype that identifies and locates green asparagus, tackling a key perception challenge before developing and testing the complete robotic harvesting action in the field.
Fieldwork Robotics introduced the Fieldworker 1 raspberry harvester and announced collaboration with Australia’s Costa Group, aiming to improve ripeness detection and make harvesting costs more predictable for growers.
John Deere announced its agreement to acquire Bear Flag Robotics for $250 million in 2021, strengthening an autonomy programme focused on adding driverless capability to existing agricultural machinery.
John Deere and GUSS introduced an electric autonomous orchard herbicide sprayer in 2024, combining battery operation with weed detection and remote oversight of multiple machines by one operator.
Agtonomy closed an $18 million Series B led by DBL Partners in 2025, with new investor Nuveen supporting plans to expand equipment integrations and commercial automation in specialty agriculture.
New Holland and Bluewhite announced a multi-phase North American partnership in 2024, bringing retrofit autonomy kits into selected dealers and exploring deeper integration for orchard and vineyard tractors.
Burro announced general availability of Grande 44, an outdoor autonomous platform for towing, transport and vegetation management, extending its agricultural robot range to heavier-duty work in farms and nurseries.
Solinftec reported 50 Solix robots working in Indiana and Illinois during the 2024 season, combining plant monitoring with targeted herbicide application and company-reported reductions in chemical use.
