Agricultural robots are rapidly evolving to address pressing industry challenges, showcasing solutions that transform traditional practices. For instance, HUGO Green Solution is a Polish startup that uses autonomous harvesting technologies to increase productivity and reduce labor costs. Australian startup Lyro Robotics offers a robotic solution for packing perishable goods. This urgency for adaptation resonates throughout the industry, compelling stakeholders to integrate these developments or risk losing competitive ground.
As automation increasingly influences crop monitoring and analysis, weeding and pest control, and livestock management, organizations must recognize the necessity of embracing these technologies. The report details ten pivotal applications of agricultural robots in 2025 and beyond. It provides invaluable insights for experts seeking to navigate this dynamic landscape. Engaging with these trends is crucial for maintaining relevance and seizing opportunities in an ever-changing market.
Why should you read this report?
- Gain in-depth insights into the top 10 applications of agricultural robots.
- Learn about two practical use cases for each application.
- Meet 10 innovative startups advancing these applications.
FAQs: Applications of Robotics in Agriculture
What are the uses of robots in agriculture?
Robots in agriculture automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks. Farmers use robots for precision planting so that seeds are sown at optimal depths and distances. Robots also assist in harvesting by detecting ripe crops and reducing manual labor.
In addition, robotic systems handle tasks like weed control, spraying pesticides, and monitoring soil health. Livestock management benefits from robotic milking systems and automated feeding, which improve productivity and reduce human intervention in routine processes.
What is the future of robotics in agriculture?
The future of robotics in agriculture revolves around automation and artificial intelligence integration. Autonomous robots will perform complex tasks like crop monitoring and pest control with minimal human oversight.
Machine learning and AI will improve decision-making, enabling robots to adapt to changing conditions such as weather patterns or crop health variations. Collaborative robots, or cobots, will work alongside farmers, for improving operations while addressing labor shortages. Robotics will also drive sustainable practices by reducing chemical usage and improving yield prediction accuracy.
What are the types of agricultural robots?
There are several types of agricultural robots, each serving distinct functions. Harvesting robots are designed to pick fruits and vegetables with precision and care, minimizing damage to produce. Weeding robots use computer vision and sensors to identify and eliminate weeds without harming crops.
Autonomous tractors and sprayers provide efficient, large-scale management of planting, fertilizing, and spraying tasks. Livestock robots, including milking and feeding systems, improve dairy and meat production by streamlining animal care tasks. Additionally, drones are used for aerial surveying and monitoring, offering real-time insights into crop health and growth.
Key Takeaways
- Autonomous Harvesting
- Use Cases:
- Selective Fruit Picking
- High-Density Orchard Harvesting
- Startup to Watch: Muddy Machines
- Use Cases:
- Crop Monitoring and Analysis
- Use Cases:
- Thermal Imaging for Plant Monitoring
- Crop Growth Prediction
- Startup to Watch: HUGO Green Solution
- Use Cases:
- Weeding and Pest Control
- Use Cases:
- Laser-based Weed Removal
- Targeted Biological Pest Release
- Startup to Watch: AGRobotics
- Use Cases:
- Precision Irrigation and Fertilization
- Use Cases:
- Subsurface Irrigation Robots
- Nutrient Mapping and Delivery
- Startup to Watch: Osiris Agriculture
- Use Cases:
- Automated Seeders
- Use Cases:
- Precision Seeding
- Variable Depth Seeding
- Startup to Watch: Terracroft Agritech
- Use Cases:
- Livestock Management
- Use Cases:
- Autonomous Herding Robots
- Livestock Health Monitoring
- Startup to Watch: Automation Services
- Use Cases:
- Soil Analysis
- Use Cases:
- Soil Sampling and Mapping
- Real-Time Soil Analysis
- Startup to Watch: Aardvark Sensing
- Use Cases:
- Sorting and Packing
- Use Cases:
- Automated Quality Grading
- Multi-Crop Sorting & Packaging
- Startup to Watch: Lyro Robotics
- Use Cases:
- Vertical Farm Automation
- Use Cases:
- Crop Stacking and Management
- Autonomous Pollination
- Startup to Watch: iGrowing
- Use Cases:
- Pruning and Thinning
- Use Cases:
- Robotic Vine Pruning
- Selective Thinning
- Startup to Watch: Beagle Technology
- Use Cases:
Where is this Data from?
StartUs Insights provides data through its comprehensive Discovery Platform, which covers 4.7+ million startups, scaleups, and tech companies globally, as well as 20K+ emerging technologies & trends. The platform excels in startup and technology scouting, trend intelligence, and patent searches, offering a detailed view of the innovation landscape. For this report, we analyzed technologies within specific industries using the trend intelligence feature. During this research, we identified patterns and trends, pinpointing relevant use cases and the startups developing solutions for each. More capabilities and details are available at StartUs Insights Discovery Platform.
Top 10 Applications of Robotics in Agriculture [2025 & Beyond]
1. Autonomous Harvesting
The agriculture sector suffers from rising input costs and labor shortages. Autonomous harvesting solutions offer a practical solution to address these challenges. For selective fruit picking, robots are equipped with vision systems to identify and pick ripe fruits while avoiding unripe or damaged ones. This improves yield quality, reduces waste, and allows farmers to gain better market prices.
In high-density orchard harvesting, robots navigate narrow agricultural rows to collect fruits with minimal damage. Similarly, crop sorting robots sort harvested produce based on size, ripeness, and quality during the collection process, offering uniformity and efficiency. Additionally, agricultural robots boost productivity and support sustainable farming practices by reducing chemical usage and environmental impact.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: Harvest CROO Robotics, a Florida-based startup, automates strawberry harvesting using AI to detect ripe strawberries and replaces a crew of 30 workers.
- Financial Landscape: The average funding for robotics startups focused on autonomous harvesting is USD 8.3 million.
Startup to Watch: Muddy Machines
Muddy Machines offers an asparagus harvester to advance agricultural practices. This field-ready robotic tool operates autonomously for up to 16 hours a day in open fields and polytunnels. Equipped with AI, the harvester measures each spear, delicately cuts only the ripe ones while leaving immature spears untouched for future harvests. It incorporates algorithms and reinforcement learning to predict crop yields and provide timely reports to growers. This electric harvester also offers sustainability by minimizing noise and reducing environmental impact. Further, through its Robots-as-a-Service model, the company supports farmers in managing labour-intensive crops efficiently.
2. Crop Monitoring and Analysis
In the agriculture industry, machine learning, computer vision, and sensor networks are integrated into robotics for crop monitoring and analysis. Solutions like automated crop inspection enable robots with visual and multispectral sensors to monitor plant health, detect diseases, and identify pests. This reduces manual labor and improves timely interventions.
Further, thermal imaging robots track plant temperatures that allow farmers to optimize irrigation and conserve water. Crop growth prediction systems use data analytics, and forecast yields, aiding in resource planning and harvest strategies. Additionally, the inclusion of robotics in the agricultural sector increases productivity, and sustainability and promotes environmentally responsible farming practices.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: American Robotics with its solution Scout, gathers crop stress data and can be deployed on-demand or scheduled for regular monitoring.
- Financial Landscape: The average funding for robotic crop monitoring and analysis startups is USD 7 million.
Startup to Watch: HUGO Green Solution
HUGO Green Solution develops automated precision farming solutions for crop monitoring and analysis. Its product, HUGO is an agricultural robot that protects plants, applies biostimulants, and performs sowing tasks. This robot offers soil sample analysis, extensive descriptions, and tailored recommendations to improve plant cultivation under challenging conditions. HUGO also uses a growth stimulator that irradiates seeds and juvenile plants. Moreover, the solution increases plant resistance to pathogens and shortens the vegetation period of late-ripening varieties like soybeans.
3. Weeding and Pest Control
Agricultural robots integrated with machine vision, AI, and precision application systems enable targeted interventions in crop management. Autonomous weeding robots are effective in reducing herbicide use and for selective elimination of weeds. Mechanical weeding robots detect and classify weeds for site-specific management.
Besides, laser-based weed removal offers chemical-free options, while robotic systems facilitate targeted biological pest release and natural pest management. Further, these agricultural robotic solutions lead to higher yields, lower operational costs, and minimize environmental impact.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: Naïo Technologies develops robots for weeding and hoeing across various agricultural settings, including vineyards to distinguish between crops and weeds and reduce chemical usage.
- Financial Landscape: The average funding for robotics startups engaged in weeding and pest control is USD 5.7 million.
Startup to Watch: AGRobotics
AGRobotics develops an autonomous pest control and weeding robot, AGEROB-S. This robot uses AI and IoT-based technologies, along with truck drive equipment. Its proprietary design allows the robot to spray pesticides, compost transportation, and harvest transportation in fruit farms. With the integration of AI-led autonomous driving technology, the robot also operates efficiently in outdoor settings.
4. Precision Irrigation & Fertilization
Agriculture robotics improves precision irrigation and fertilization through artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), and sensors. Solutions based on these technologies collect and analyze real-time data on soil moisture, nutrient levels, and crop health for targeted resource application. Automated irrigation systems manage schedules based on precise data that improve water levels and minimize waste in the agricultural field.
Variable-rate fertilization systems apply nutrients in specific field areas to reduce the overuse of fertilizers and to ensure a positive environmental impact. Further, nutrient mapping robots create detailed soil nutrient profiles for accurate fertilizer application. Subsurface irrigation robots also deliver water and nutrients directly to the root zone for efficient uptake. Further, these agricultural robots assess key parameters to guide irrigation and fertilization strategies, enable even coverage, and lower labor costs.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: Agrobot develops high-precision robotic solutions for agriculture, focusing on harvesting and the targeted application of fertilizers to ensure resources are applied exactly where needed.
- Financial Landscape: Robotics startups engaged in precision irrigation and fertilization receive an average of USD 24.2 million in funding.
Startup to Watch: Osiris Agriculture
Osiris Agriculture develops Oscar, a robot that automates precision irrigation, fertilization, and crop protection tasks for potatoes and vegetables. This autonomous system walks over the entire plot daily to deliver the precise amount of water required for optimal plant growth. Oscar uses AI to learn the specific requirements of each plot which lets it to adapt irrigation and fertilization strategies based on local conditions and climatic hazards. This technology also secures crop yields and reduces environmental impact by minimizing resource inputs. Additionally, Oscar provides farmers with valuable data feedback for them to make informed decisions and effectively manage their farming activities.
5. Automated Seeders
Adopting automated seeders facilitates farmers to respond to the challenges of labor shortages and incorporate sustainable practices. Through precision seeding, seeds are placed at optimal depths and spacing, allowing farmers to adjust planting parameters in real time on soil conditions and crop requirements. This technique also reduces seed wastage and results in better germination rates and healthier plants.
Automated seeders equipped with depth control mechanisms plant seeds at varying depths depending on soil moisture and temperature conditions. This adaptability maximizes seed survival rates and offers uniform crop development. The technology also reduces the chances of seedling disease by ensuring that seeds are placed in the most suitable environment. Further, incorporating these robotic technologies into agriculture boosts operational efficiency and supports the industry’s shift towards sustainable farming.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: Fendt makes Fendt Xaver, a swarm of small robots for precision seeding that uses satellite navigation and cloud technology for planting efficiency and versatility.
- Financial Landscape: The average funding for startups focused on robot-based automated seeders is USD 3.7 million.
Startup to Watch: Terracroft Agritech
Terracroft Agritech develops krishiBOT, a smart robot that automates labor-intensive field tasks to achieve agricultural efficiency and sustainability. This adaptable robot nurtures crops through a pulsed arc oxidation (PAO) process to gain precise and uniform seed distribution. This process also offers efficient fertilization and effective weed management. krishiBOT achieves targeted application with optimal use of resources, minimal errors while increasing farm productivity. Further, the automation provided by krishiBOT enables continuous operation, addressing slow and repetitive tasks without fatigue.
6. Livestock Management
Robotics advances livestock management by improving efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare. Autonomous herding robots use GPS and machine vision technologies to monitor and guide herds autonomously. This further reduces the need for human intervention and minimizes stress on the animals. Besides, automated health monitoring systems equipped with sensors and cameras provide real-time data on individual animal health. These systems track vital signs, activity levels, and feeding patterns for farmers to detect early signs of illness or distress in livestock.
Through precision livestock farming farmers monitor feed intake, water consumption, and behavioral patterns of livestock on an individual level. AI-driven analytics are effective in fulfilling the nutritional needs of each animal which leads to better growth rates and feed waste reduction. Additionally, robotic milking systems increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve milk production quality. Moreover, they generate valuable data that inform decisions about herd management and replacement strategies. By integrating these agricultural robots, farmers improve animal health, and resources, and drive productivity in livestock operations.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: AgXeed specializes in versatile autonomous tractors that adapt to various agricultural tasks, including livestock management.
- Financial Landscape: Robotic livestock management startups attract an average of USD 4.4 million in funding.
Startup to Watch: Automation Services
Automation Services offers DeLaval VMS robotic milking systems that increase farm efficiency by automating the milking process. These milking machines allow each cow to be milked according to her individual needs. This solution further allows the livestock to achieve the full potential while maximizing the economic benefits of every visit. Further, the DeLaval VMS V300 offers progesterone-based sampling and analysis for automatic pregnancy and heat detection during milking.
7. Soil Analysis
Robotics is transforming soil analysis in agriculture by using autonomous vehicles, sensor arrays, and machine learning algorithms to align data collection and analysis. Sensors and IoT devices gather real-time data on soil composition, moisture, and nutrient availability. Additionally, drones provide aerial surveys to identify variations in soil health across large areas. Robotic soil samplers automate sample collection from various depths and result in accuracy and labor cost reduction.
Robotic systems automate soil sampling and mapping by creating detailed maps of soil health for precision agriculture. They also enable real-time soil analysis, allowing farmers to adjust fertilization and irrigation practices on the fly. Further, the integration of agricultural robots leads to better efficiency, precise crop management, and cost savings through optimized input use.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: Rogo Ag has an autonomous robot Smartcore that collects precise soil samples for lab analysis and aids farmers in nutrient management decisions.
- Financial Landscape: The average amount of funding for robotic soil analysis startups is USD 12.9 million.
Startup to Watch: Aardvark Sensing
Aardvark Sensing provides autonomous soil sensing solutions that increase farmer’s understanding of soil health. The company’s robots operate in harsh conditions for extended periods to collect soil data for satellite data calibration, soil quality measurement, and subsurface mapping. These robots reduces human intervention and allows user to collect data continuously. This feature enables farmers and researchers to make informed decisions. Further, by collaborating with academic institutions and researchers in remote sensing, agriculture, and hydrology, the company is also offering effective soil analysis approaches.
8. Sorting and Packing
Agricultural robots integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and sensor systems efficiently handle various tasks. Multi-crop sorting robotic systems manage diverse crops for optimal agricultural operations. This solution is crucial during peak seasons when rapid sorting is essential.
Packaging robots efficiently wrap products, minimizing damage during transportation. Additionally, these robotic solutions address major challenges of labor shortages and adhering to consistent quality control in the agricultural sector. By automating these processes, packaging robots maintain product integrity, reduce human error, boosts productivity and sustainability in agriculture.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: Eshet Eilon, an Israeli company, specializes in robotic solutions for packinghouses that sort, pack, and grade various fruits and vegetables.
- Financial Landscape: The average funding raised by robotic sorting and packing startups is USD 8.4 million.
Startup to Watch: Lyro Robotics
Lyro Robotics develops the LR-1 S, a robotic packing solution that addresses the labor-intensive challenge of packing perishable goods. This system automates the sorting and packing of irregularly shaped fresh produce. The solution also places items precisely into boxes to improve shipping efficiency. With the ability to achieve 1200+ picks per hour for single-item packs and a significant throughput increase per day, the robotic solution reduces human error and manual labor. Additionally, its Pattern Pack feature allows customization based on specific packing criteria for any business in the food supply chain.
9. Vertical Farm Automation
Agricultural robots increase efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in vertical farming by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). These systems automate seeding and planting, employing precision robotics for optimal spacing and depth, which maximizes yield and minimizes waste. During harvesting, robots pick delicate crops, enabling continuous operation that boosts output and reduces labor costs.
Additionally, monitoring robots equipped with sensors provide real-time data on plant health and environmental conditions. Automated packaging systems align the preparation of produce for shipment, shortening the time from farm to table. Crop stacking improves resource use, while autonomous pollination supports effective pollination in environments lacking natural pollinators. Further, robotic integration addresses food production challenges and contributes to food security in urban areas.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: Bowery Farming employs a fully automated system with sensors and robotics to monitor plant health and optimize growth conditions for leafy greens.
- Financial Landscape: The average amount of funding for robot-based vertical farm automation startups is USD 11.9 million.
Startup to Watch: iGrowing
iGrowing is a UK-based startup that develops energy-efficient indoor vertical farming systems with robotics and automation. Its technology features an automated hydroponic system, paired with ultra-low voltage LED lighting for control of temperature, humidity, and airflow. Robotics handles each stage of the crop cycle and ensures optimal conditions for plant development. Automated systems also minimize energy and water usage while eliminating pesticides. By integrating robotics into vertical farming, iGrowing maximizes space, improves growing cycles, and reduces production costs and carbon emissions.
10. Pruning and Thinning
Agricultural robots use machine learning, computer vision, and automated systems for crop management. Specialized robotic systems are designed to prune grapevines with a precision that reduces the time and labor associated with traditional methods. These robots are equipped with sensors to selectively remove unwanted branches while maintaining the health of the vine.
Robotics also enable precise thinning of crops for optimal spacing and light exposure for each plant. Further, automated systems identify which plants to thin based on specific growth patterns and environmental conditions. This targeted approach increases crop uniformity and quality while minimizing waste. Further, vivid agricultural robots offer efficiency, precision, and sustainability while transforming traditional agricultural practices.
Dive Deeper:
- Noteworthy Example: LettuceBot, developed by Blue River Technology, uses computer vision to identify and selectively thin lettuce crops, optimizing plant density for improved growth.
- Financial Landscape: The average funding for robotic pruning and thinning startups is USD 14.5 million.
Startup to Watch: Beagle Technology
US-based company Beagle Technology develops AI-powered robotic controllers to automate pruning and thinning with high precision. The startup’s robotics use a camera-only solution that offers reliability across diverse farming environments. These robotic systems integrate with the hydraulic and pneumatic components of modern farming equipment which enables easy adoption without major infrastructure modifications. Beagle’s robotic pruning system reduces labor costs, safeguards food quality, and prevents crop damage. Its shoot thinning robots precisely target and remove excess shoots, and also preserve grape clusters during thinning operations.
Act Now to Take Advantage of Top Agricultural Robots
Investors are increasingly backing agri-tech innovations, with major players like MassChallenge, Y Combinator, Techstars, 500 Global, Google for Startups, and public funding initiatives such as the Paycheck Protection Program driving growth. Seed, Series A, venture rounds, and M&A dominate funding types, with an average investment of USD 12.6 million per round, demonstrating strong financial support for early-stage innovations.
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