Field robot manufacturers are zeroing in on the Australian vegetable market, as a groundbreaking programme launches to accelerate the adoption of advanced mechanisation technology within the industry. This initiative, spearheaded by Hort Innovation and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) in collaboration with the Global Organisation for Agricultural Robotics (GOFAR), aims to mitigate high input costs and labour challenges that have long plagued Australian vegetable growers.
The programme is set to bring global innovations directly to Australian vegetable growers, offering them a hands-on opportunity to trial cutting-edge technology. According to Brett Fifiel, CEO of Hort Innovation, this grower-focused initiative is crucial for maintaining the competitiveness of the Australian horticulture sector. “This programme will bring global innovations directly into the hands of veggie growers, so that they can play an active role in trialling the technology,” Fifiel noted.
In addition to local trials, the programme will feature two study tours to FIRA robot events, offering Australian growers a chance to witness these technologies in action on an international stage. Demonstrations and validations of these advanced technologies will also be conducted across multiple states, providing growers with ample opportunities to see the robots in action.
Three prominent robot manufacturers—Naïo Technologies, Ecorobotix, and Verdant Robotics—have confirmed their plans to enter the Australian market. Each company brings a unique set of capabilities that promise to revolutionise vegetable farming in Australia.
Naïo Technologies, a French company with 422 robots operational in 18 countries, is actively engaging with key contacts in Australia to facilitate its market introduction. Julien Laffont, Director of Strategy & Business Development at Naïo Technologies, emphasised the importance of local presence for customer satisfaction. “Soon we hope to train people, and have support for our robots in Australia,” Laffont said. The company’s lightweight electric robots are versatile and can enter fields up to three days before tractors after rainfall, potentially reducing manual labour tasks by 50%.
Verdant Robotics, a U.S. company, plans to introduce its Sharpshooter to the Australian market. Curtis Garner, COO & Co-founder, highlighted the Sharpshooter’s ability to attach to a tractor and spray up to 3.75 acres per hour, day or night. The platform offers targeted thinning, weeding, protectant, and nutrient delivery at millimetre precision, primarily for specialty vegetable crops. “We have a spot-sprayer that puts a dollop of fluid just on the weed, and nowhere else,” Garner explained, noting that the platform can save 60% to 69% on spraying materials.
Ecorobotix, a Swiss company, aims to launch its ultra high-precision sprayer, ARA, in Australia by 2025. Jose Marchetti, Regional Manager for the Americas, stated that the company has already established operations in the U.S. and plans to expand into Australia soon. The ARA sprayer operates at a driving speed of 7.2 km per hour and can cover 40 to 60 hectares in a day. “Our machine has a fantastic return on investment, with a payback within 1 or 2 years in some areas,” Marchetti said. The ARA sprayer can reduce weeding costs by up to 100% and often results in a 15% or more increase in yields, along with a significant reduction in phytosanitary products.
This AUS $4.1 million initiative represents a significant investment in the future of the Australian vegetable industry. By bringing advanced mechanisation technology to the forefront, the programme aims to tackle the pressing issues of high input costs and labour shortages, ultimately boosting grower profitability and sustainability.