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MassRobotics recently hosted a Robotics in AgTech event, bringing together innovators and industry leaders to explore challenges and solutions in the agriculture industry.

The event served as a catalyst for discussions and offered a glimpse into the transformative potential of robotics for farming, said the Boston-based organization.

Danfoss discusses AgTech industry challenges

The event kicked off with a presentation by Peter Bleday, senior director and head of the Autonomy Business Unit at Danfoss, who provided strategic insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping agricultural technologies and markets.

From precision agriculture to sustainable farming practices, Bleday delved into the industry’s evolving landscape and highlighted the pivotal role of technology in driving innovation and addressing pressing agricultural challenges.

Bleday led a discussion with the following panelists:

• Katie Stebbins, executive director of the Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute
• Patrick Varley, the product marketing manager for robotics at Mitsubishi Electric
• Otto Gryschek, global director of strategy and operations for chemicals and agriculture at McKinsey & Co.
• AJ Perez, founder and CEO of Grow Clean Group

The speakers shared experiences, from entrepreneurship to food sustainability, and talked about how robotics can address many of today’s agriculture challenges. They also discussed issues of trust, innovation, and the evolving landscape of agricultural technology, offering insights for stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

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Building trust and partnerships

One of the central themes of the event was the importance of trust in agricultural partnerships. The panelists highlighted the challenge of gaining the trust of farmers, who are inherently risk-averse due to the unpredictable nature of their profession.

Traditional channels of government outreach and recommendations were deemed insufficient, with community-driven approaches and farmer-to-farmer networks seen as more effective in building trust.

The discussion underscored the value of collaboration between established industry players and startups. While startups bring agility and innovation to the table, established companies offer brand trust and resources to scale effectively.

The panelists emphasized the need for open dialogue and partnerships to drive meaningful change within the agricultural ecosystem.

Integrating AgTech and overcoming barriers to adoption

The panelists acknowledged the critical role of technology in driving innovation within agriculture. They identified startups as more nimble and capable of developing and deploying cutting-edge solutions rapidly than established companies.

However, the panel also emphasized the need for startups to understand the unique needs and challenges of farmers, as well as the importance of case studies and testimonials in showcasing the value of their offerings.

While technological advancements hold immense promise for the agricultural sector, barriers to adoption remain. Farmers often require significant changes to their existing workflows to fully use new technologies.

The panelists also discussed the need for systems that seamlessly integrate into farmers’ operations and highlighted the importance of large-scale test farms for validating innovations at scale.

Startup showcase: Innovations from the ground up

Several AgTech startups showcased their technologies aimed at revolutionizing agriculture. 

• Tyler Niday, the co-founder and CEO of Bonsai Robotics, brought a wealth of experience in robotics and agriculture to the discussion. Having led the development of innovative vision-based and autonomous solutions at Blue River Technology and John Deere, he highlighted the significance of startups in advancing precision agriculture. Niday also discussed Bonsai Robotics’ focus on creating affordable and high-performing autonomy systems tailored for smaller and mid-sized farms. By using monocular cameras and deep learning models, the company aimed to address the challenges of orchard farming and similar environments. Niday emphasized the importance of customer feedback, strong relationships, and iterative testing in navigating the cyclical nature of agriculture and ensuring product-market fit.
• Carl Palme, founder of Boundless Robotics, presented his mission to enable effortless home food cultivation. With AI and automation, the startup’s system addressed urban dwellers’ challenges by offering easy-to-use, sustainable solutions. Initially targeting cannabis cultivation, Palme said it aims to provide pesticide-free, consistent strains inaccessible in urban settings. Priced at $1,500, Boundless Robotics’ system promises a quick return on investment. Palme stated that the company is committed to sustainability and legalization, aiming to disrupt the black market while addressing food scarcity issues.
• Matt Rosen, founder of Haystack Ag, introduced its innovative soil-carbon measurement system tailored for growers and carbon markets. Addressing the challenge of costly and labor-intensive soil-carbon verification, Haystack Ag said it can reduce costs and increasing throughput. The company claimed that its technology can provide highly accurate data crucial for carbon-offset markets. Its business model focuses on selling carbon testing services to carbon market intermediaries, contributing to the scalability of carbon sequestration initiatives globally. 
• Kent Cavender-Bares, founder and CEO of Rowbot, presented its row-crop farming robot tailored for large-scale agriculture. Inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer poses a challenge, so the company plans deliver nitrogen fertilizer at the right time for the crop. Its patented technology allows for precise application between rows with minimal clearance, optimizing plant treatment. With advanced prototypes tested on hundreds of real fields and a recent agreement with a major cooperative in Iowa, Rowbot said it is poised for commercialization, signaling significant market potential.
• Onder Odemir, founder CEO of Ubiros Inc., introduced soft grippers tailored for the food industry, addressing the challenge of delicate item handling without the need for human labor. With a focus on affordability and versatility, Ubiros offers a solution to the labor shortage in food packaging. The company’s grippers are electric-powered, lightweight, and capable of handling items such as peaches, tomatoes, and cucumbers with care, making them suitable for a range of agricultural and food industry applications. Odemir noted the importance of dexterity and affordability in robotic end effectors, positioning the grippers as a valuable tool for farmers and food processors seeking efficient and gentle handling solutions.
• Ahmad Zameli, CEO of Untill, introduced its indoor vertical farm, which he said can reduce the food supply chain from eight days days to under 24 hours, extending product shelf life and cutting carbon emissions by over 30%. The proprietary technology enables high-density planting, resulting in six times the productivity of traditional vertical farms. Untill plans to scale through partnerships and franchising, aiming to improve access to fresh produce.

See MassRobotics at the Robotics Summit

The Robotics in AgTech event provided a platform for stakeholders to gain valuable insights into the latest advancements and emerging trends in the agriculture industry. The event fostered collaboration, paving the way for future partnerships and initiatives aimed at driving innovation in AgTech.

MassRobotics said it remains committed to driving innovation in agriculture and leveraging the power of technology to create a more sustainable and resilient food system. 

At the Robotics Summit & Expo, MassRobotics will host a pavilion with the 10 startups in its Accelerator Program. They will exhibit on the show floor and discuss their experiences in a session on May 1 at 4:15 p.m. ET.

For the second year in a row, MassRobotics Form & Function Robotics Challenge participants will show their prototypes on the expo floor. In the Engineering Theater at noon on Thursday, May 2, the organization will name the winners from among the university teams from around the world.

In addition, MassRobotics will also be holding a Robotics Engineering Career Fair from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. on May 2 in Boston. The career fair will draw from the general robotics and artificial intelligence community, as well as from Robotics Summit attendees.

Past co-located career fairs have drawn more than 800 candidates, and event organizers said they expect even more people at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center this year. MassRobotics is a strategic partner of WTWH Media, which produces the Robotics Summit and The Robot Report.

The Robotics Engineering Career Fair welcomes recent graduates and seasoned engineers, computer scientists, vision specialists, mechatronics experts, AI professionals, and more, said MassRobotics. Candidates can register here for $15.

The Robotics Summit will be co-located with DeviceTalks, an event focused on medical devices, and the inaugural Digital Transformation Forum. Registration is now open for the event.