Key Takeaways:
- Penn State’s Agribot Club provides students with hands-on experience in agricultural robotics and automation.
- The club brings together students from diverse majors such as cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, and agricultural engineering.
- Members compete in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) robotics competition.
- The club is currently developing a robot for sorting objects using sensors, robotic arms, and automation.
- Outreach efforts are underway to grow membership and expand the club’s presence beyond competitions.
Penn State Students Explore AgTech Innovation Through Robotics With The Agribot Club
At the intersection of agriculture and engineering, Penn State University’s Agribot Club is offering students a practical gateway into the world of agricultural robotics. Based in the College of Agricultural Sciences, the student-led organization brings together learners from multiple disciplines to build robots capable of solving real-world challenges in farming and food production.
Founded with the guidance of assistant professor Shirin Ghatrehsamani, the club has become a platform for innovation and technical skill development. It serves as an interdisciplinary space where students explore the application of robotics in agriculture, including areas such as automation, computer vision, and robotic mechanics.
“Technology is expanding, and robots are becoming a whole lot more prevalent in society,” said Joshua Gatten, club president and a fourth-year cybersecurity major. “Learning how robots work and how to build them is going to be, if it’s not already, an important life skill.”
Practical Learning Through Robotics and Collaboration
The Agribot Club welcomes students from a variety of backgrounds, including those with no prior robotics experience. Participants form specialized teams focusing on key components like movement systems, robotic arms, and visual sensors, allowing members to apply classroom knowledge in hands-on settings.
The club’s main annual event is the ASABE Robotics Competition, where teams are tasked with designing robots to complete specific agricultural tasks. In last year’s competition held in Anaheim, California, students gained exposure to real-world engineering problems in a competitive, collaborative environment.
“This club is for anybody that’s interested in learning about robotics and getting hands-on experience designing robots that interact with their environment,” said Juan Arguijo, graduate student in agricultural engineering and club treasurer.
For the 2025 competition, the team is building a robot capable of identifying and placing different types of eggs into designated areas—a task that, while simple in concept, involves complex programming and design.
Penn State’s Agribot Club: Expanding Reach and Building for the Future
Looking beyond competitions, the Agribot Club is working to grow its community and project scope. Plans include engaging in side projects and exploring additional contests, as well as expanding outreach efforts through social media to raise awareness and attract new members.
“With the agricultural industry rapidly adopting robotics, learning these skills now will be a valuable asset for the future,” said Gatten. “Even small-scale farmers are using drones for planting, monitoring crop health and diagnosing plant diseases.”
The club aims to not only equip students with technical competencies but also prepare them for future careers in agricultural technology—a sector increasingly shaped by automation and precision tools.
