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Robotics and artificial intelligence: The words are usually accompanied by a backdrop of a neon cityscape full of tall peaks and never-ending streams of cars. From Bladerunner to The Jetsons, the future of technology is often built around ideas of sprawling, rugged urbanism, in which wired, manufactured components completely replace biological structures.
However, the role of advanced technology at Greenfield Robotics is to support nature, not replace it.
For decades, the agricultural industry has been grappling with critical issues such as the widespread use of harmful chemicals and the resulting environmental degradation. Phasing out herbicides and pesticides has been difficult due to the lack of alternatives that can work with the same effectiveness at scale.
But Clint Brower, founder of Greenfield Robotics, realized the problem had an unexpected answer. Using artificial intelligence-powered robotic technology to transform farming methods, he formed a team at Greenfield to create technology that promises not only to reduce environmental impact, but also to increase the sustainability and efficiency of farming operations without chemicals.
Greenfield Robotics uses advanced technology to power autonomous robots designed specifically for the agricultural industry. “The reason we built these first robots was to solve a pretty simple problem,” says Brower, himself a third-generation farmer. “.
The fleet is built and developed in Cheney, Kan., to move independently in the fields, equipped with rotating blades to cut through even the toughest, most stubborn stalks. Robots can keep the product damage during the process to less than 1%, which is better than large-scale spray equipment. Machine vision and learning help them identify field boundaries and obstacles in real-time, while a smaller chassis allows them to work more nimbly than traditional heavy machines and avoid crushing crop rows.
By implementing Greenfield’s robots-as-a-service methodology, farmers will no longer need to purchase their own sprayers, which can cost $1 million or more, and they will be able to lower the cost of post-plant herbicides. budgets, says Brauer.
A big part of what makes herbicide use so problematic is that long-term use of chemicals like glyphosate has resulted in generations of superweeds that have become resistant and require stronger, more toxic solutions. In addition, because glyphosate acts as an enzyme inhibitor, it can also inhibit the growth of crops intended to help and harm other species endemic to local biomes.
In recent years, many farmers have been moving away from farming and adopting regenerative practices instead. Ideas like cover cropping and no-till farming are not new, but they are being reinvented as effective ways to naturally control weeds and return nutrients to the soil, thus being “restorative.” These practices emphasize maintaining the integrity of the soil by keeping it planted and intact, allowing it to prevent erosion, retain water, and even build a healthy ecosystem that helps pull carbon from the air and back into the ground. The result is soil that increases the nutrient density of crops, which means plants are stronger and more vital when the growing season comes.
But adopting new practices while maintaining seasonal calendars can be taxing and difficult, if not impossible, at the speed and scale required. Greenfield Robotics offers an automated solution. Unlike spray units that require human operators and can only be safely operated during daylight hours, Greenfield’s robots run on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that last five hours at a time to clean weeds. As they follow AI-drawn paths based on aerial drone footage, they can escape deep into the night without a problem. When there are storms, it can take a week for the ground to firm up enough for heavy machinery to return to work, but soft soil and mud are less of a problem for light robots. All these factors allow robots to shave days off the difficult, expensive, and necessary work that must be done several times a year.
Deploying Greenfield’s robots as a service results in a “triple win” solution for farmers that positively impacts the climate, consumers and the bottom line for farmers.
Greenfield Robotics is not only changing farming practices on individual farms, but also setting a precedent for the global agriculture sector. Greenfield Robotics is opening the door to more sustainable farming methods around the world by demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of robotic weed control.
This technology-based approach is gradually shaping thinking and practices around regenerative agriculture. Greenfield Robotics has been live in farm fields for the past three years and continues to expand its reach.
Every year, systems take a big leap forward, and Greenfield Robotics aims to improve its systems, develop new tools for farmers, increase the capabilities of its robots, and expand its solutions to meet global demands. Bauer shares more of their R&D work: “Whether it’s improving sensors that can analyze plant tissue in real-time and identify nutrient deficiencies, or adding mulching capabilities, the team is always working to develop additional functionality for the fleet.”
Greenfield Robotics is at the forefront of agricultural innovation and has industry-wide support. With 11,000 farming customers supported by major industry players such as Chipotle, ILS Beef and MKC agricultural cooperative, Greenfield is moving into a new era where technology and traditional farming work hand in hand.
Bauer and Greenfield Robotics are bringing agriculture back into the future by helping farms adopt concepts like cover cropping and no-till farming. By combining time-tested practices with cutting-edge technology, it paves the way for a healthier, more sustainable future. The opportunity to completely remove toxic herbicides from agriculture and our food is within reach.
If you want to be a part of Greenfield Robotics’ mission, visit to learn more: https://investgreenfieldrobotics.com/
* Disclaimer: In making an investment decision, investors should rely on the issuer’s own research and the terms of the offer, including the benefits and risks involved. Greenfield Robotics has filed a Form C with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the offering, a copy of which is available here.*