Challenges facing agricultural robotics: production halts and a market shift
While the outlook appears promising for many robotics companies, several agricultural robotics firms have been forced to halt production over the past year. Future Farming takes a look back at some key developments in the agricultural robotics sector over the last 12 months.
Bryan Sanders, the President of HSE, official dealer of XAG R150 in the U.S., recently confirmed that XAG has discontinued its R150 robot. As a result, the R150 is no longer featured in the Future Farming buyers guide.
It remains unclear whether XAG plans to restart production of the R150 at some point in the future. Sanders shared his insights, stating, “The market is mostly buying spraying drones. We sell a lot of those”, highlighting the shifting demand toward drone technology focused on spraying applications. However, Sanders hopes the XAG R150 will return on the market next year.
The increasing interest in drones was evident at FIRA, the premier robotics event for open-field crops held in the U.S. Visitors had the opportunity to interact with a number of American drone service providers, many of whom showcased their latest innovations in a dedicated covered drone pavilion. As the demand for drones grows, so does their evolving technological capability.
Even though the XAG R150 is now out of production, Sanders believes specialty crop regions hold immense potential for field robots. “These growers often face unique challenges with limited specialised equipment options”, he says. “Ag-robots offer the flexibility and adaptability needed to address these challenges effectively.“
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Inspiring a new wave of tech-savvy farmers
There are several factors driving adoption, Sanders points out. Regions facing labour shortages will be more inclined to adopt ag-robots to automate tasks and improve productivity. Areas with water scarcity or strict regulations on pesticide use may turn to ag-robots for precision applications and reduced environmental impact. And regions with strong technological infrastructure and support networks will be better equipped to integrate and utilise ag-robots effectively.
Beyond the immediate benefits, autonomous technologies are also key to attracting the next generation of farmers, Sander explains. “Young people are drawn to innovation and technology. By integrating these tools into agriculture, we can inspire a new wave of tech-savvy farmers who are passionate about sustainability and efficiency. This is a critical opportunity to revitalise the agricultural workforce and ensure a thriving future for the industry.”
Nevertheless, there were other companies in the agricultural robotics space that had to stop production as well. The Small Robot Company (SRC), based in England, shut down earlier this year after struggling to secure the funding necessary to advance to its next phase.
Financial struggles
After a prolonged battle for survival, SRC entered liquidation. The company cited the lack of a robust funding ecosystem for hardware in the agricultural sector as a major obstacle. “Agriculture is perceived as very risky. Government funding only covers prototype stages”, SRC emphasised in a statement.
SRC had developed an autonomous agricultural platform, with robots like Tom, a weeding platform, and Dick, a weed-zapping robot. Unfortunately, Dick did not make it past the early trials. Another robot, Harry, was designed for planting purposes. Additionally, SRC’s system Wilma, was used to identify weeds, aiding in more precise and efficient weed control. Despite these innovations, the company’s inability to secure adequate funding led to its closure.
While some established companies face financial struggles, newer agricultural robot startups are also facing similar challenges. Australian startup Ripe Robotics, for example, was close to beginning orchard trials with its fruit-picking robot, Eve, in 2022, as it was developing its fifth version.
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New home in Belgium
However, a lack of funding halted progress, and despite several attempts to continue operations, Ripe Robotics was forced to shut down. In a fortunate twist, both the company and the Eve robot have found a new home in Belgium, with Octinion, a company known for its own agricultural robots, including the autonomous strawberry-picking robot Rubion. Although the future of Eve remains uncertain, the robot’s potential has caught the attention of new stakeholders.
In 2023, the InsightTRAC Rover, a robot developed to help in pest control by shooting biodegradable pellets at almond tree mummies to prevent pest damage, won the prestigious Ag Robot of the Year award. However, despite the recognition, there has been very little news regarding the Rover’s progress.
The company behind the Rover has been notably inactive on social media, with no posts on Facebook for over 20 months and no activity on X for more than a year. Future Farming contacted InsightTRAC for an update, and CEO Anna Haldewang confirmed that the company is not conducting any field trials at the moment. However, the future of Rover remains uncertain at this time.
In 2024, AgroIntelli discontinued the Robotti 150D and replaced it with the new Robotti LR model. The Robotti 150D was a robust field robot designed for power-intensive tasks. It featured two engines, a PTO, and a traditional diesel-hydraulic system, making it versatile for various field operations.
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Squirrel
The multi-purpose 150D was equipped to handle precision tasks such as seeding, weeding, and spraying, while its PTO also allowed it to perform heavier-duty tasks like mowing, rotavating, and power harrowing. The Robotti 150D was compatible with a wide range of well-established and proven implements.
In another development, Muddy Machines acquired the assets and intellectual property (IP) of the Fox Robotics Hugo platform. Fox Robotics, based in Farnham, U.K., was a startup focused on addressing the specific challenges faced by soft fruit farms. Fox Robotics in the U.K. should not be confused with Fox Robotics Inc., which is based in Austin, Texas.
Muddy Machines, following the acquisition, announced that it now offers a broader range of autonomous systems for growers. As part of this transition, Muddy Machines will rebrand the Hugo RT platform, previously developed by Fox Robotics, and rename it ‘Squirrel’.
The autonomous system will compete with the field robot from Burro Robotics. Like Burro Robotics’ offering, the Squirrel is designed to autonomously transport materials from one location to another on the farm, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the need for manual labour.
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