In the heart of Queensland, a revolution is underway, one that promises to reshape the future of farming. Andrew and Jocie Bate, a farming couple with a knack for innovation, have developed an “autofill” technology that allows agricultural robots to operate around the clock. This breakthrough is set to transform on-farm productivity and redefine the role of technology in agriculture.
The Bates’ journey began over a decade ago when they launched their ag-tech startup from their 4,000-hectare property in Gindie. Their vision was clear: replace traditional heavy tractors with fleets of lightweight, autonomous robots. Equipped with GPS, advanced software, and diesel engines capable of running for up to 24 hours on a single tank, these robots can precisely spray crops, mow fields, and even apply chemicals only where needed. The result is less soil compaction, fewer chemicals, and shorter workdays. But the real game-changer is the autofill feature, which allows these robots to find refill stations, dock, reload with pesticide or fertiliser, and return to work—all without human intervention.
“This is the final piece in the puzzle that allows these small machines that we make to be super productive,” Andrew Bate said. The autofill technology, unveiled at the Bates’s new Toowoomba manufacturing facility, is a world-first. It enables farmers to spend more time with their families and reduces their exposure to chemicals. However, concerns remain about the affordability of the technology. A recent survey by Grain Producers Australia found that growers were worried about connectivity and their ability to use robots correctly.
The Bates’s robots are already making waves in the agricultural industry. With 145 robots working on farms across Australia, farmers are either buying the robots outright or leasing them on a three-year plan. Scott Balsillie, the 2024 Australian Cotton Grower of the Year, is one of those embracing the innovation. On his property near Dirranbandi in south-west Queensland, he uses two of the Bates’s robots to target weeds with precision. “They’ve changed industry out here,” he said. “Labour is quite hard to get, and having these robots here has allowed us to get across the country we need to in an efficient and quick way, and keep on top of our weeds.”
Balsillie plans to adopt the new autofill technology, further boosting productivity. The Bates are proud to see Australia leading the charge in agricultural innovation. “We’ve just opened the next frontier in farming,” Andrew Bate said. “They can now work all day and night, automatically filling themselves up, which is opening up huge opportunities for farmers to cover more acres, more efficiently.”
The implications of this technology are vast. It promises to reduce the physical demands of farming, increase productivity, and potentially address labour shortages. However, it also raises questions about the future of work in agriculture. Will robots replace humans? Andrew Bate is sceptical. “I don’t think anyone has ever bought a robot and laid someone off,” he said. “We’re all still looking for people [to employ] in agriculture.”
As global innovators test everything from solar-powered robots to fully automated machines that can plant and harvest crops, the idea of a fully automated farm, from seed to silo, is edging closer to reality. For now, the Bates are at the forefront of this revolution, proving that Australian farmers are not just adopters of technology but innovators leading the way.
