The ninth edition of the World FIRA event, held in Auzeville-Tolosane, near Toulouse, France, from February 4 to 6, marked a significant milestone in the advancement of agricultural autonomy and robotics. This year, the event was an outdoor showcase, featuring live demonstrations of cutting-edge technologies, for the third consecutive year.
The event showcased a diverse array of autonomous vehicles and field robots, although the number of manufacturers participating seemed to have slightly decreased from previous editions. This shift could be indicative of the evolving landscape of agritech, with companies potentially focusing more on refining their existing technologies rather than introducing new ones.
Among the notable demonstrations were those by AgXeed, Naïo, and Odd.Bot. AgXeed, in collaboration with its French dealer Sevra, showcased an Amazone rotary harrow in action. The Dutch company Odd.Bot, while not demonstrating, participated in the Dutch pavilion at World FIRA. AgXeed won the ‘Easiest Robot Award 2025’ from Entraid Médias on the third day of the event. This award recognized the company’s efforts in making agricultural robotics more accessible and user-friendly.
Naïo Technologies, a French company, demonstrated all four of its well-known field robots, including the Naïo Orio equipped with a Stanhay precision seeder. The robots, which have not undergone significant changes in the past year, continue to be a staple in the field of autonomous farming.
Another highlight was the presence of Agreenculture and Sabi Agri, two French manufacturers showcasing their innovative technologies side by side. Agreenculture announced it would be discontinuing its CEOL field robot to focus entirely on supplying kits to make vehicles autonomous. This includes Kubota tractors and the Kubota-Fede KFAST autonomous orchard sprayer, which features an Agreenculture autonomy kit.
SoftiRob, another French company, demonstrated how the 22 kWh battery of the Softi Rover can be easily swapped, addressing the high cost of batteries. The company, operated by a French arable farmer, plans to introduce the vehicle and its associated implements to the market by 2030.
Exxact Robotics, part of the French Exel Industries, shared insights into the challenges of marketing field robots. The company announced that its Traxx field robot will soon be marketed in Tecnoma colors through Tecnoma dealer networks. This strategic move aims to leverage the existing dealer networks of Tecnoma, a well-known brand in the agricultural machinery industry. Additionally, Exxact Robotics has switched from a two-cylinder gasoline engine to a four-cylinder diesel engine, reflecting a shift towards more powerful and efficient energy solutions.
New Holland, a partner of the 2025 edition of World FIRA, showcased the T4.120F featuring the Advanced Vision Assisted Guidance system. This system utilises a LiDAR sensor mounted at the center front of the cab roof for automated steering, highlighting the integration of advanced technologies in traditional agricultural machinery.
Odd.Bot brought a ‘French’ Maverick weeding robot, which was displayed in the Dutch pavilion. The Maverick was also nominated for the Ag Robot of The Year (AROTY) 2025 Award by Future Farming and World FIRA, underscoring the growing recognition of innovative solutions in the agritech sector.
PeK Automotive from Slovenia presented not only an apple-picking unit for the Slopehelper robot platform but also a first prototype of a grape-harvesting unit. This unit, specifically designed for viticulture, features four tiny cameras to locate grape clusters, showcasing the potential of robotics in specialized agricultural tasks.
The 2025 edition of World FIRA highlighted the ongoing evolution of agricultural robotics and autonomy. As companies continue to innovate and refine their technologies, the future of farming looks increasingly automated and efficient.