Jul 21, 2023

Speakers, agenda set for FIRA USA 2023

Speakers from companies including Grimmway Farms, John Deere, North American Ag and Better Food Ventures will highlight FIRA USA 2023.

The annual autonomous technology showcase is set for Sept. 19-21 at the Salinas Sports Complex in Salinas, California. The event is held in conjunction with nonprofit ag robot organization GOFAR, Western Growers and the VINE, an initiative of University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The event will feature panel discussions and more than 35 robot demonstrations exhibiting autonomous abilities in helping to tend vegetables, fruits, orchards and vineyards.

“Coming from California, other states in the U.S., and even from Europe, we expect another 10 to 20 robots to partner with us, and we have space to welcome them both on the exhibition area and on the demo zones,” Maialen Cazenave, co-director in charge of the partnerships at GOFAR, said in a news release.

Agenda

Wednesday Sept. 20

8:30 a.m.| Ag Robots: How do you know when robots are ready to start working in your fields?

• Andrew Holtz, director of mechanized equipment development, D’Arrigo Brothers of California
• Rob Trice, founding partner, The Mixing Bowl
• Todd Fitchette, associate editor, Farm Progress

9:35 a.m. | Things you should know before you decide to buy an AgTech automation solution

• Bartley Walker, president, Pacific Ag Rental
• Josh Roberts, president, Triangle Farms
• Chrissy Wozniak, founder, North American Ag

1:00 p.m. | Automation: Does safety meet regulation’s expectations?

• Christina Shupe, executive pfficer, Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board
• Jay Seidel, president, AUVSI California Chapter
• Ben Alfi, CEO and co-founder, Bluewhite
• Nick Tindall, regulatory affairs, Association of Equipment Manufacturers

1:50 p.m. | Data Rush, the new Gold Rush?

• Jackson Jeffries, sales lead, US & EMEA, Leaf Agriculture
• Zack Shelly, partner, Kingman Ag
• Vasanth Ganesan, partner, McKinsey & Co.

Thursday, Sep. 21

8:30 a.m. | Manufacturing and distributing together to scale up

• Sean Sundberg, division sales manager, John Deere
• Gary Thompson, COO, GUSS Automation
• Gaëtan Severac, co-founder, Naïo Technologies
• Danny Royer, co-founder, Growers Insight

9:20 a.m. | How can robot convert farmers’ instincts into data?

• Jeff Morisson, director of innovation & new technology, Grimmway Farms
• Arthur Chow, investment team, S2G Ventures

Participating companies

• Bluewhite (California): Bluewhite’s Pathfinder transforms any brand of existing orchard or vineyard tractor into a fully autonomous fleet, capable of executing multiple tasks such as spraying, herbicide, discing, mowing, or harvesting.
• Naïo Technologies (France and California): Light electric and autonomous ag robots offer a sustainable alternative to the use of herbicides that can interface with smart implements.
• Carbon Robotics (California): LaserWeeder leverages AI deep learning technology, computer vision, robotics, and lasers.
• Stout Industrials (California): The Stout Smart Cultivator is a software-defined, tractor-drawn implement that uses machine vision and artificial intelligence to cultivate and weed fields using mechanical blades.
• Agtonomy (USA): A fully electric tractor cab mow, spray, transport and weed in tough terrain.
• Ecorobotix (Switzerland): ARA is a high-precision sprayer enabling targeted application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides or fertilizers and reducing their use up to 95%.
• Solinftec (Brazil): A scouting robot that scans crops and records growth rates and plant health of row crops including corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, canola.
• Nexus Robotics (Canada): Weeding and scouting robot that provides farmers with real-time information about crop health and size.
• Verdant Robotics (California): Multi-action, autonomous farm robot capable of millimeter-accurate spraying, laser weeding and AI-based digital crop modeling.
• GUSS Automation (California): Sprayers address labor challenges while increasing efficiency, precision and safety in orchards and vineyards.
• SeedSpider (California): The WeedSpider robotic wheeler can be configured to weed, thin or precision spray commercial vegetable crops.
• Farm-ng (California): Amiga is a modular, all-electric micro-tractor that can turn-in-place, haul, lift, carry tools and cultivate.
• Monarch Tractor (California): Fully electric, driver-optimal, smart tractors.
• Mantis Ag Technologies (California): A line of products including thinners, sprayers and cultivators.
• Burro (California): Burros use computer vision, high precision GPS, and AI to navigate autonomously while carrying various payloads.
• Robotics Plus (New Zealand): Modular platform designed to accommodate swappable attachments for spraying, mowing, trimming and weed control.
• Aigen (Washington): Robotics platform powered by the sun.
• EDETE (Israel): End-to-end artificial pollination service.
• K.U.L.T. (Germany): Machines for soil cultivation and weeding for vegetable production, field crops, vineyards, orchards and other uses.

For robot exhibition information, contact Cazenave at [email protected].

Online registration for FIRA USA 2023 is open at www.fira-usa.com