In a significant move that underscores the growing convergence of technology and agriculture, Yamaha Motor has announced its acquisition of Robotics Plus, a pioneering company specialising in agricultural automation solutions. This strategic acquisition will pave the way for the formation of Yamaha Agriculture, Inc., a new entity headquartered in the United States, dedicated to revolutionising precision agriculture.
The partnership, which has been in the works since 2017, aims to address some of the most pressing challenges in the agricultural sector, including labour shortages, productivity, and sustainability. By integrating Robotics Plus’ cutting-edge robotics, sensing, and data analytics capabilities with Yamaha’s extensive industry expertise and manufacturing prowess, the new company seeks to provide growers with autonomous equipment and AI-powered solutions.
At the heart of this collaboration is Prospr, an autonomous, multi-purpose hybrid vehicle developed by Robotics Plus. Prospr is designed to perform a variety of tasks, from spraying and weed control to mowing, with the goal of mitigating labour shortages and optimising agricultural efficiency. This innovative vehicle exemplifies the kind of technology that Yamaha Agriculture aims to bring to market, enhancing the sustainability, profitability, and resilience of growers in the specialty crop market.
The acquisition also includes the integration of The Yield, a company specialising in advanced data analytics and AI-driven models. This addition reinforces Yamaha Agriculture’s commitment to data-driven decision-making, offering growers tools to enhance yield predictions and overall farm operations.
Steve Saunders, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Robotics Plus, expressed his confidence in the move, highlighting the shared vision and commitment between the two companies. “This acquisition is a testament to the strong partnership we’ve built with Yamaha over the years,” Saunders said. “With Yamaha’s support, we are poised to accelerate our robotics innovations, significantly scale our hardware manufacturing, and expand further into key markets such as the US, and beyond.”
Dr Alistair Scarfe, Co-founder and Chief Engineering Officer at Robotics Plus, echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of tackling globally scalable challenges. “To drive meaningful change in agriculture, you need to think big,” Scarfe stated. “We’ve greatly benefited from Yamaha Motor’s deep industry expertise, and we’re excited to take our innovations even further with Yamaha Agriculture with a continued focus on quality, reliability, and safety.”
Yamaha Agriculture’s commitment to growers extends beyond technology. The company aims to reduce input costs, optimise resource usage, and elevate overall farm efficiency for producers of wine grapes, apples, and other specialty crops in North America, Australia, and New Zealand. This comprehensive approach is designed to create real value for growers while maintaining the high standards of quality and reliability for which Yamaha Motors is known.
The acquisition marks a significant milestone in the journey of Robotics Plus, which has consistently demonstrated the potential to build a world-leading agritech business from New Zealand. The partnership with Yamaha Motor has allowed the company to accelerate its expansion and bring its innovative solutions to a global market. As Yamaha Agriculture, Inc. takes shape, the future of precision agriculture looks increasingly promising, with technology and innovation at the forefront of sustainable and efficient farming practices.
