Key Takeaways:
- CNH Industrial has acquired the assets and IP of Advanced Farm Technologies, a California-based agtech startup.
- The acquisition follows successful pilot tests of Advanced Farm’s robotic apple picker in Washington during the 2024 harvest.
- The deal includes the transfer of a majority of Advanced Farm’s technical team to CNH’s technology and innovation divisions.
- CNH plans to continue commercializing the robotic platform as part of its smart harvesting strategy.
- The news was first reported by The Robot Report.
CNH Industrial Expands AgTech Portfolio with Advanced Farm Acquisition
CNH Industrial (Profile) has reached an agreement to acquire the assets and intellectual property of Advanced Farm Technologies, a startup focused on robotic harvesting solutions for apples and strawberries. The acquisition, reported by The Robot Report, includes the transition of key Advanced Farm team members to CNH’s internal innovation and engineering teams.
A CNH spokesperson said, “The value we see in Advanced Farm’s technology lies in its ability to address labor shortages and enhance the efficiency and resilience of the agricultural industry. By integrating Advanced Farm’s technologies into our broader innovation strategy, we aim to further advance robotic harvesting solutions.”
The agreement follows a successful 2024 pilot season in Washington state, where several growers tested the apple-picking system under real-world conditions. According to CNH, the platform performed as expected, validating its commercial potential.
Advanced Farm Technology and Team Integrated into CNH
Kyle Cobb, CEO of Advanced Farm, told The Robot Report that although the company had reached its technical milestone, the difficult investment climate for agtech startups made the decision to sell its assets necessary. “The decision to sell the assets and IP to CNH was a difficult one, but it ensures that the investment will live on,” Cobb said.
A majority of Advanced Farm’s technical staff will join CNH, supporting the company’s ongoing development of automation solutions in fruit harvesting.
Strategic Fit with CNH’s AgTech Innovation Goals
CNH was an early investor in Advanced Farm Technologies, having announced a minority stake in late 2023 as part of its efforts to support smart harvesting innovations. At the time, the company stated its goal was to drive R&D and commercialization partnerships to address rising labor costs and declining workforce availability in fruit production.
This acquisition is part of the company’s broader strategy to scale customer-inspired innovation through automated, autonomous, and sustainable agricultural technologies.
