Articles tagged with "agriculture-technology"
Instacrops will demo its water-saving, crop-boosting AI at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Instacrops, a Chile-based startup founded by Mario Bustamante, is leveraging AI to address the critical issue of water scarcity in agriculture, particularly in water-stressed regions like Chile and India where agriculture consumes over 90% of water resources. The company helps around 260 farms reduce water usage by up to 30% while boosting crop yields by as much as 20%. By shifting from hardware to AI-driven solutions, Instacrops now processes approximately 15 million data points per hour, significantly increasing efficiency and impact with fewer staff. Their technology integrates IoT sensors or existing farm networks to collect data on over 80 parameters—including soil moisture, humidity, temperature, and satellite-derived plant productivity metrics (NDVI)—to provide precise irrigation advisories directly to farmers via mobile apps and WhatsApp. Instacrops focuses on high-value crops in Latin America such as apples, avocados, blueberries, almonds, and cherries. The startup offers its services through an annual fee per hectare, enabling farmers
IoTagriculture-technologyAIwater-conservationsmart-farmingcrop-yield-optimizationenvironmental-sustainabilityDrone startup Guardian Agriculture shuts down
Guardian Agriculture, a Woburn, Massachusetts-based startup founded in 2017, recently shut down after failing to secure additional funding. The company developed the SC1, a large, fully autonomous quadcopter drone designed for aerial crop spraying, capable of carrying 200 pounds of fertilizer or pesticides and covering 60 acres per hour. Despite receiving FAA approval in April 2023 as the first commercially authorized electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) system in the U.S., Guardian struggled to commercialize its technology, having only one paying customer at the time of closure. The company ceased operations in late August 2025 following layoffs earlier that summer, with CEO Ashley Ferguson citing insufficient cash and investor commitments to continue operations. Guardian Agriculture raised $51.7 million across five funding rounds, including a $20 million Series A led by Fall Line Capital in mid-2023. The SC1 drone earned industry recognition, being named one of Time magazine’s Best Inventions of 2024
roboticsdronesagriculture-technologyautonomous-vehicleseVTOLagtechstartup-shutdownHydrogen-powered driverless tractor to ease labor shortage in Japan
Japanese multinational Kubota has unveiled the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell tractor equipped with autonomous driving capabilities, showcased at Expo 2025 in Osaka. This 100-horsepower tractor runs on a hydrogen fuel cell stack, enabling nearly half a day of continuous operation per refuel, addressing critical agricultural needs for long working hours and reliability. Measuring 4.4 meters long, 2.2 meters wide, and 2.3 meters tall, the tractor operates without a driver’s seat and can be remotely controlled within network range. It features AI-powered cameras for obstacle detection and automatic stopping to ensure safety, aiming to tackle Japan’s labor shortages and aging farming population while promoting sustainability through zero CO2 emissions. The new unmanned tractor builds on Kubota’s previous manned hydrogen model, which delivered 60 horsepower and four hours of quiet, low-vibration operation after a quick refuel. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, producing only water and heat, making them a clean
hydrogen-fuel-cellautonomous-tractoragriculture-technologyenergy-efficiencyAI-in-farmingzero-emissionsremote-operationLittle Electric Tractor Supports Better Crop Yields, Runs On Solar Power - CleanTechnica
The article discusses an initiative by the Malawian-UK NGO Tiyeni to improve crop yields in Malawi through climate-smart agriculture, specifically a technique called Deep Bed Farming (DBF). This method involves breaking up a compacted soil layer known as "hardpan," which restricts root growth, water infiltration, and air penetration, thereby limiting crop productivity. By disrupting this hardpan layer, farmers can more than double their crop yields in the first year. Traditionally, breaking the hardpan is labor-intensive, requiring manual hoeing. To ease this process, a small electric tractor powered by solar energy has been introduced and tested in Malawi. This tractor, which functions similarly to a rototiller, can break up the hardpan with significantly less physical effort than manual labor. The electric tractor is charged using solar panels connected to a nearby microgrid, leveraging Malawi’s abundant sunlight. This approach is more economical and environmentally friendly compared to diesel-powered machinery, as Malawi imports all its petroleum products, which are
electric-tractorsolar-powerrenewable-energyagriculture-technologysustainable-farmingenergy-efficiencyclimate-smart-agricultureEntering an AI-powered Vineyard
The article "Entering an AI-powered Vineyard" highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern farming, particularly in vineyard management. Traditionally, farmers relied heavily on intuition and limited data to assess crop health and farmland conditions. However, the integration of AI technologies in this experimental vineyard enables precise data collection and analysis, allowing for more informed decision-making and optimized crop management. By leveraging AI, farmers can monitor various factors such as soil quality, weather patterns, and plant health in real-time, reducing guesswork and improving yield quality. This approach represents a significant shift towards data-driven agriculture, promising increased efficiency, sustainability, and potentially revolutionizing how farms are managed in the future. The article underscores the potential of AI to enhance agricultural productivity and resource management.
IoTagriculture-technologysmart-farmingAIdata-analyticsprecision-agriculturevineyard-managementOrchard Robotics, founded by a Thiel fellow Cornell dropout, raises $22M for farm vision AI
Orchard Robotics, founded by Charlie Wu—a Cornell computer science dropout and Thiel fellow inspired by his grandparents’ apple farming background—has raised $22 million in a Series A funding round led by Quiet Capital and Shine Capital. The startup develops AI-powered vision technology to help fruit growers more accurately monitor crop health and yield. Using small cameras mounted on tractors, Orchard Robotics captures ultra-high-resolution images of fruit, which are analyzed by AI to assess size, color, and health. This data is then uploaded to a cloud-based platform that assists farmers in making informed decisions about fertilization, pruning, labor needs, and marketing. Despite the concept of computer vision for specialty crops not being new, most large U.S. farms still rely on manual sampling, which provides imprecise estimates of crop conditions. Orchard Robotics aims to address this gap by offering more precise, scalable data collection and analysis. The company’s technology is already deployed on major apple and grape farms and is expanding to other crops such as blueberries
roboticsartificial-intelligenceagriculture-technologyfarm-automationcomputer-visionIoT-in-agricultureprecision-farmingThe Reservoir launches AgTech innovation hub in Salinas, CA - The Robot Report
The Reservoir has officially launched its first agtech innovation hub, Reservoir Farms, in Salinas, California, marking a significant step in advancing agricultural technology through collaboration. Positioned as California’s first on-farm startup incubator, Reservoir Farms offers early-stage agtech companies access to a cutting-edge R&D facility, prototyping resources, secure build and storage spaces, and, critically, an on-site working farm for real-world product testing and data collection. The inaugural cohort includes startups specializing in AI-powered farm equipment, agrobotics, data management, and soil treatment, all united by a vision to accelerate technology from concept to commercialization through close partnerships with growers and engineers. The initiative, led by CEO Danny Bernstein and supported by industry and educational partners such as Western Growers Association, UC ANR, Hartnell College, and Merced College, aims to bridge the gap between research labs and practical agricultural application. A recent strategic partnership with John Deere enhances this ecosystem by providing startups access to Deere’s technology, expertise
robotagriculture-technologyagtechAIroboticsIoTinnovation-hubHow one AI startup is helping rice farmers battle climate change
Mitti, a New York-based AI startup, is addressing climate change by helping rice farmers reduce methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas generated in flooded rice paddies. The company uses AI-powered models that analyze satellite imagery and radar data to measure methane release from rice fields, enabling scalable monitoring without costly physical equipment. Mitti partners with nonprofits like the Nature Conservancy to train hundreds of thousands of smallholder farmers in India on regenerative, no-burn agricultural practices that lower methane emissions. These partnerships extend Mitti’s reach and allow it to verify and report on climate-friendly farming efforts on the ground. Mitti’s technology also supports a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, offering measurement, reporting, and verification tools to third parties working with rice farmers to reduce emissions. The methane reduction projects generate carbon credits, which Mitti helps track and sell, sharing most of the revenue with farmers and their communities. This additional income can improve farmers’ profitability by about 15%, a significant boost for small
AIagriculture-technologymethane-reductionclimate-changecarbon-creditssoftware-as-a-serviceenvironmental-sustainabilityDrone swarms: How they actually work and what industries should care - The Robot Report
The article from The Robot Report explores the concept, functionality, and practical applications of drone swarms, emphasizing their potential to transform industries like agriculture. Unlike loosely coordinated groups of drones controlled centrally, true drone swarms operate through decentralized decision-making, where each drone independently processes local data and synchronizes with peers without hierarchical control or constant human oversight. This natural swarm behavior, inspired by ants or birds, enables scalability, adaptability, and efficient coverage of large or complex environments, reducing labor costs significantly—up to 30% over time—primarily by minimizing human involvement, which often accounts for 70% of drone operation expenses. In agricultural settings, autonomous drone swarms utilize onboard computing, specialized sensors (e.g., multispectral cameras), and GPS technologies to perform precise, task-based actions such as targeted fertilization. For example, drones detect nutrient deficiencies using vegetation indices and dynamically assign the closest capable drone to apply fertilizer, optimizing resource use and preventing environmental damage. The article highlights that over the next five
robotdrone-swarmautonomous-dronesUAV-technologyagriculture-technologyswarm-intelligencereal-time-data-coordinationElectric Tractor Cost Can Be Reduced By Tens of Thousands With California Program - CleanTechnica
The article highlights California’s California Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE), a multi-million-dollar state program designed to subsidize the purchase of zero-emission off-road equipment, including electric tractors. Unlike many incentive programs, CORE does not require scrappage of old equipment and targets small businesses, agribusinesses, public agencies, and other entities operating zero-emission machinery, with additional incentives for low-income and disadvantaged communities. Monarch Tractor, a leading manufacturer of electric agricultural machinery, including the MK-V and MK-V Dairy models, qualifies for CORE vouchers, which can reduce the retail price by up to 67%, making electric tractors competitively priced with diesel counterparts. Monarch’s electric tractors offer significant operational savings and environmental benefits. For example, California farms using the MK-V have reported annual fuel cost savings of $10,000 to $12,000 and carbon emission reductions of 33 to 50 tons per year, equivalent to removing several gas-powered vehicles from the road. Additionally
energyelectric-tractorsagriculture-technologyclean-energyrenewable-energyCalifornia-energy-incentivessustainable-farmingHow TRIC Robotics is reducing pesticide use on strawberries using UV light
TRIC Robotics, a startup based in San Luis Obispo, California, is addressing the heavy pesticide reliance in strawberry farming by deploying autonomous robots equipped with UV-C light technology to reduce chemical use. These tractor-sized robots can treat up to 100 acres overnight, using UV-C light to kill bacteria and pests, and vacuums to remove bug residue without damaging crops. Rather than selling the robots directly, TRIC offers them as a service, aligning with farmers’ existing pest control payment models. This approach was developed through close collaboration with farmers to ensure practical adoption. The company was founded by Adam Stager, who pivoted from developing 3D-printed robots for SWAT teams to agriculture in 2020, seeking to make a meaningful impact. Through a USDA program connecting innovators with uncommercialized technology, Stager discovered the UV light application that became central to TRIC’s solution. Starting with small-scale trials on farmers’ land in 2021, the company has since expanded to work
roboticsagriculture-technologyUV-C-lightpest-controlautonomous-robotssustainable-farmingpesticide-reductionReservoir Farms opens applications for inaugural cohort - The Robot Report
Reservoir Farms, an agricultural technology incubator located in California’s Salinas Valley, has opened applications for its inaugural cohort of 12 startups. The incubator aims to accelerate innovation in specialty crop production by connecting AgTech startups with growers, leveraging the expertise and network of the Western Growers Association’s 2,500 members. Supported by the Western Growers Association and established through a long-term lease with the Tanimura family and Tanimura & Antle, Reservoir Farms offers office and shop space, secure storage, and year-round test fields near some of the world’s most productive farmland in Salinas. The incubator provides startups with access to a fully equipped maker space featuring machine tools, welders, CNC routers, and 3D printers to facilitate rapid prototyping and in-field testing of robotic solutions. Focus areas include robotic harvesting, rugged mobility, machine vision, lightweight end effectors, modular field robotics, edge AI, and precision soil analytics. Reservoir Farms emphasizes a collaborative approach,
robotagroboticsagriculture-technologyprecision-farmingmachine-visionedge-AIrobotic-harvestingUS scientists use machine learning for real-time crop disease alerts
Purdue University researchers are leveraging advanced AI and machine learning technologies to transform agriculture and environmental management. Their innovations include real-time crop disease detection using semi-supervised models that identify rare diseases from limited data, enabling faster outbreak responses and reduced chemical usage. These AI tools are designed to run efficiently on low-power devices such as drones and autonomous tractors, facilitating on-the-ground, real-time monitoring without relying on constant connectivity. Additionally, Purdue scientists are using AI to analyze urban ecosystems through remote sensing data and LiDAR imagery, uncovering patterns invisible to the naked eye to improve urban living conditions. In agriculture, AI is also being applied to enhance crop yield predictions and climate resilience. For example, machine learning ensembles simulate rice yields under future climate scenarios, improving accuracy significantly. Tools like the “Netflix for crops” platform recommend optimal crops based on soil and water data, aiding farmers and policymakers in making informed, data-driven decisions. Furthermore, Purdue developed an AI-powered medical robot capable of swimming inside a cow’s stomach to
robotAIagriculture-technologymachine-learningmedical-robotscrop-disease-detectionenvironmental-monitoringBeewise brings in $50M to expand access to its robotic BeeHome - The Robot Report
Beewise Inc., a climate technology company specializing in AI-powered robotic beekeeping, has closed a $50 million Series D funding round, bringing its total capital raised to nearly $170 million. The company developed the BeeHome system, which uses artificial intelligence, precision robotics, and solar power to provide autonomous, real-time care to bee hives. This innovation addresses the critical decline in bee populations—over 62% of U.S. colonies died last year—threatening global food security due to bees’ essential role in pollinating about three-quarters of flowering plants and one-third of food crops. BeeHome enables continuous hive health monitoring and remote intervention by beekeepers, resulting in healthier colonies, improved crop yields, and enhanced biodiversity. Since its 2022 Series C financing, Beewise has become a leading global provider of pollination services, deploying thousands of AI-driven robotic hives that pollinate over 300,000 acres annually for major growers. The company has advanced its AI capabilities using recurrent neural networks and reinforcement learning to mitigate climate risks in agriculture. The latest BeeHome 4 model features Beewise Heat Chamber Technology, which eliminates 99% of lethal Varroa mites without harmful chemicals. The new funding round, supported by investors including Fortissimo Capital and Insight Partners, will accelerate Beewise’s technological innovation, market expansion, and research efforts to further its mission of saving bees and securing the global food supply.
roboticsartificial-intelligenceautonomous-systemsenergyagriculture-technologymachine-learningclimate-technologyĐề xuất dùng AI bảo vệ vườn sâm Ngọc Linh
IoTAIsmart-farmingagriculture-technologycrop-monitoringdata-managementremote-management