Key Takeaways
- Agtonomy (Profile) is expanding its automation rental program to Washington State, targeting permanent crop industries such as fruit, nut, and wine grape growers.
- The program builds on the success of Agtonomy’s California pilot, offering growers access to electric or diesel automation platforms for tasks like mowing, spraying, weeding, and crop transportation.
- Flexible rental options, including seasonal or multi-year agreements, allow growers to “try before they buy” and evaluate the benefits of automation with minimal risk.
- The expansion reflects Agtonomy’s commitment to practical, grower-focused solutions, with plans to scale operations across the U.S. and internationally.
Introducing Automation to Washington Growers
The rental program offers growers a cost-effective way to integrate automation into their operations. By automating repetitive tasks, the program aims to:
- Save time and labor costs.
- Increase operational efficiency.
- Provide hands-on experience with advanced automation before committing to long-term investments.
Tim Bucher, Co-Founder and CEO of Agtonomy, emphasized the program’s value: “Our expansion into Washington is just the start of a broader journey. We understand that growers want solutions that are practical, reliable, and tailored to deliver the most value. Our rental program offers a cost-effective entry point into automation while offering growers the chance to see the impact in their fields before making a long-term commitment.”
Flexibility and Collaboration
Agtonomy’s rental program provides growers with:
- A 30-day guarantee for risk-free evaluation.
- Options for seasonal or multi-year rentals tailored to growers’ needs.
- Support to upskill workers, enabling them to transition into higher-value roles by managing fleets of automated equipment.
The company actively integrates feedback from growers to refine its software and services.
Simon Graves, Director of Vineyard Operations at Treasury Wine Estates: “We’ve increased the effectiveness of emerging in-field AI farm equipment technologies by working with Agtonomy to introduce new features that respond to the specific conditions on our vineyards. Automation and AI at our Californian sites is just one component of our broader approach to sustainability across our global operations.”
Expanding to Meet Growing Demand
Agtonomy’s Washington expansion is part of a broader strategy to scale its automation solutions across the U.S. and beyond. Lessons learned from pilot and rental programs will guide the company’s efforts to:
- Deliver efficient, cost-effective farming solutions.
- Support sustainable agricultural practices.
- Empower growers with tools that improve productivity while reducing resource use.
Tim Bucher: “Automation is not just about technology; it’s about empowering growers with the tools they need to succeed. Our rental program is a stepping stone toward building a more sustainable and productive agricultural system, and we’re excited to partner with growers globally to make that vision a reality.”
Agtonomy Latest News
Secures $32.8M in Total Series A Funding (2024/10/21)
Agtonomy, a pioneer in AI-enabled automation software for agriculture and land maintenance, has closed its Series A funding round with an additional $10M, raising its total funding to $32.8M. The round, led by Autotech Ventures, saw participation from new investors Rethink Food, Allison Transmission, Black Forest Ventures, Toyota Ventures, Flybridge, and Cavallo Partners. The new capital will accelerate Agtonomy’s growth, allowing the company to expand into new markets, develop new technology solutions, and scale its paid pilot program for autonomous tractors.
Expands Board of Directors, Welcomes Jorge Heraud (2024/05/16)
Agtonomy has appointed Jorge Heraud to its Board of Directors, aiming to enhance agricultural and land maintenance practices through technology. Heraud’s experience includes roles at Trimble, Blue River Technology, and John Deere. Agtonomy CEO Tim Bucher sees Heraud’s vision as crucial.
Revolutionary Smart Farm Task Ecosystem Launched by Agtonomy (2024/02/15)
Agtonomy recently announced its Smart Farm Task Ecosystem, a solution designed to connect self-driving tractors with farm tools. The ecosystem aims to streamline operations and bolster sustainability in agriculture. The CEO emphasized the importance of thinking about tractors and farm tools together, seeking to transcend the industry’s prior focus on separate farm robotics components. Agtonomy is collaborating with reputable equipment manufacturers to equip farmers with advanced computing, AI software, and reliable hardware for autonomous task execution. The ecosystem includes innovative hardware solutions such as Smart Take-Off, Smart Toolbar, Smart Implement Sensors, and Smart Sprayers. Reflecting on the collaboration, a partner mentioned the benefits of combining advanced computer science, engineering, and robotic systems with trusted brand and proven product designs. Agtonomy plans to demonstrate this technology through farmer pilot programs, on-farm events, and appearances at trade shows, showcasing its commitment to transforming agriculture through efficiency, control, and sustainability.
Expands Autonomous Farming Solutions (2024/02/13)
Agtonomy is expanding its paid pilot program in 2024, aiming to put growers at the forefront of adopting on-farm robotic automation. The program leverages Agtonomy-enabled tractors and a tele-guidance platform to perform essential agricultural tasks autonomously, demonstrating a commitment to integrating AI and robotics in farming. Agtonomy’s partnerships with growers and equipment manufacturers aim to address industry challenges and enhance the sustainability and efficiency of farming operations. The involvement of growers from the initial stages of development is a testament to Agtonomy’s commitment to delivering value and functionality that meet the specific demands of the agricultural sector.
Agtonomy & OnTarget Collaborate to Launch Next-Gen Autonomous Smart Sprayer (2024/09/20)
Agtonomy and OnTarget partnered to create an all-electric, electrostatic autonomous smart sprayer for sustainable agriculture. The prototype will debut at the FIRA USA ag robotics and autonomy show. The technology helps growers reduce spray time and use less water, making crop protection products more efficient. Agtonomy plans to launch a pilot program in 2024.
Bobcat Company Makes Strategic Investment in Agtonomy (2024/06/07)
Bobcat has announced a strategic investment in Agtonomy, a Silicon Valley-based ag tech software company. The partnership aims to enhance Bobcat equipment, increase productivity, and explore new avenues for alternative energy and autonomous innovation in farming. Together, they are focusing on developing new and innovative approaches to empower farmers and achieve higher levels of productivity and performance. The investment from Bobcat will expedite the development of solutions that offer value to specialty agricultural farmers and growers, helping them reduce operating costs, achieve greater efficiencies, and address the persistent challenge of skilled labor shortages in the industry.
Bobcat and Agtonomy Partner to Advance Sustainable Agriculture (2023/02/15)
Bobcat Company has partnered with Agtonomy to enhance agriculture productivity through electrification, autonomous operation, and digital technology. Their goal is to develop innovative solutions for increased efficiency and sustainability, focusing on addressing labor shortages and environmental concerns. The partnership highlights how technology can solve real-world problems and shape the future of agriculture.
Silver Oak Cellars Partners With Agtonomy (2023/02/14)
Agtonomy, an agtech software start-up, has teamed up with Silver Oak Cellars to pilot its innovative TeleFarmer™ solution in the vineyards of Napa Valley. The TeleFarmer™ solution includes software, apps, and an electric vehicle reference tractor that enables remote management of daily farming tasks increases efficiency and precision, and reduces the farm’s carbon footprint. Silver Oak Cellars aims to take its farming operations to the next level by leveraging the TeleFarmer™ solution to meet its economic and environmental goals. Agtonomy’s shared philosophy of climate-smart farming with Silver Oak Cellars makes this partnership a perfect fit.
Treasury Wine Estates Tries Out Agtonomy’s TeleFarmer™ Technology for Enhanced Farming Operations (2023/02/09)
One of the world’s leading wine producers, Treasury Wine Estates, has announced its participation in a trial of Agtonomy’s TeleFarmer™ technology. This innovative solution, which includes software, apps, and an electric vehicle reference tractor, will help specialty crop farmers remotely manage and execute tasks with greater efficiency and precision.
Revolutionizing Farming: Agtonomy Unveils TeleFarmer™ Solution (2023/02/03)
Agtonomy, a leading agriculture technology company, has launched its latest innovation, the TeleFarmer™ Solution. This cutting-edge solution offers farmers a way to remotely execute labor-intensive tasks such as weeding, spraying, mowing, and transporting crops. The product will help farmers combat labor shortages and rising costs and give them more control over the economics of their operations.
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