The Robot Report Podcast FIRA 2025 Ag robotics recap
Oct 24, 2025
Danny Bernstein, Founder and CEO of The Reservoir, an agtech incubator, dives into the cutting-edge innovations showcased at the FIRA 2025 Ag Robotics event. He shares his vision of supporting ag robotics startups with on-farm test acreage and resources. The conversation uncovers key flaws in the agtech R&D pipeline and highlights The Reservoir's unique location in Salinas. Bernstein emphasizes the importance of collaboration, offering insights on commercialization strategies, and the need for engineers to engage with rural communities to better understand agricultural challenges.
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Ag Robotics Maturing Fast
- FIRA showcases ag robotics moving from prototypes to production-ready systems across tractors, weeders, and scouting robots.
- Innovations include modular platforms (Bonsai/FarmNG merger) and novel weeding like TensorField's hot canola oil approach.
Hot Oil Weeding Demo
- Mike describes TensorField's weeding system that sprays boiling canola oil to kill weeds as an organic method.
- He notes growers worry about overspray but highlights the organic compatibility of the approach.
Orchard Autonomy Is Unique
- Orchard autonomy requires sensor fusion beyond GPS because tree canopies block satellite signals.
- Systems must distinguish passable canopy (limbs) from non-passable obstacles like trunks, people, or vehicles.
