High Tech Products Headed for the Midwest

JUNGE, Expo Director [tomj@ineda.com]

High Tech Products Headed for the Midwest

A key goal of our farm shows is to introduce members to the latest high-tech products shaping agriculture. These events help bring cutting-edge companies to the Midwest.

For three years, we’ve scouted and recruited top innovators at FIRA USA and the World Ag Expo in California. Now, many are making their way to our region.

This year, three companies attended our expos, with two more set to join next season. Their advanced technologies—precision spraying, autonomous farming, and sustainable weed control—are poised to transform Midwest agriculture.

Ecorobotix

Ecorobotix, a Swiss company, attended the Nebraska Ag Expo in December. Their product called ARA is an ultra-high precision sprayer which enables the ultra-targeted application of herbicides, fungicides, insecticides or fertilizers. For now, it is targeted to vegetable and organic growers. One dealer in Nebraska has signed on and one precision ag/drone dealer in Iowa is exploring it. Ecorobotix presented at the Innovation After Hours event, Tuesday night of the Expo. For more information see: https://ecorobotix.com/en

Aigen

Aigen, a Washington based company, displayed their Element robot which eliminates herbicide-resistant weeds mechanically, reducing the reliance on chemicals and improving yield. Again, this product is most likely targeted for organic growers. The robots

run 100% on renewable energy. Powered by the sun, robots run for up to 12 hours per day. All four-wheel motors are regenerative, capturing and reusing energy. This product might be viewed similar to drone spraying application services and provided by a service contractor. For more information see: https:// www.aigen.io/

AMOS

AMOS is being designed in Cedar Falls, Iowa with the first production units hitting the ground this year. It is 75-85 HP fully electric, fully autonomous tractor. It features 34-40PTO HP and 8-hour battery life. Beginning designed initially for vineyards, it could have applications anywhere in farming. AMOS presented at the Innovation After Hours event, Tuesday night of the Iowa Ag Expo. For more information see: https://www.amospower.com/

AMOS at the 2025 Iowa Ag Expo.

Carbon Robotics

After years of working with specialty crops, Carbon Robotics has introduced their G1200 (40’) and G1800 (60’) lazer weeders for organic corn and soybeans. In the summer of 2022, Carbon Robotics demoed their lazer weeder in a West Bend, Iowa soybean field and learned what it would take to modify their machine for Midwest Farmers. The “G” weeders are lighter and can travel twice the speed of previ-

ous models. The new Self-contained, fully sealed weeding modulesinclude 3 high-resolution cameras with enhanced optics, 2 NVIDIA GPUs for advanced image processing and 20 LED lights for day or night operation. We are currently in talks of having Carbon Robotics at both events this upcoming winter. For more information see: https://carbonrobotics.com

Burro

We first saw Burro at FIRA 2022 in Fresno, California. Since then, the company has increased the size, capabilities, and applications of their autonomous “carrier”. They now offer the original Burro, Burro Verde, Burro Grande “Donkey”, Burro Cortador “Mower” and Sprayito “Autonomous Spot Sprayer”. As the Burro gains customer exposure, many more applications will be discovered.

We are in the process of sending them a proposal to attend both Expos this upcoming winter. For more information see: https://burro.ai/

Also on the show staff’s radar are Solinftec (solar powered sprayer) from Brazil and Swarm Farm (most advanced autonomous sprayer) from Australia.

For personal contacts of these companies, contact Tom or Cindy at the Association Office. 