New Age Farming with Bonsai Robotics
Most farms struggle with dust, inefficiency, and labor shortages. But Tyler Niday, of Bonsai Robotics, reveals how AI-driven machinery is changing the game by transforming existing equipment into autonomous workhorses.
Inspired by biology, Bonsai Robotics is making some of agriculture’s toughest environments manageable. Tyler shares how autonomous orchard shakers are improving nut harvest efficiency by up to 40%. He explains how converting shuttle trucks into multi-functional farm platforms can save growers hundreds of thousands of dollars in equipment costs.
Monte and Tyler explore the industry’s evolution from retrofitting machines with autonomous capabilities to developing full-platform solutions, including Bonsai’s Amiga series. These adaptable systems support precision spraying, harvesting, and crop scouting.
About Tyler
Before co-founding Bonsai Robotics, Tyler began in mechanical engineering and helped develop vision systems at Blue River Technology and gained hands-on learning at Orchard Machinery Corporation. If you’ve wondered what the future of practical farm automation really looks like, this episode offers a firsthand look at innovations in the field today.
Learn More
Visit Bonsai Robotics: https://bonsairobotics.ai/
Watch episode: https://youtu.be/Cvs7v5FLSN0
Timestamps:
00:10 – Tyler’s background and journey into ag tech
02:23 – The role of AI and perception challenges in dust environments
07:48 – Vision-only AI vs LiDAR debate and dust interference
12:04 – Scalability of perception models across crops
12:58 – Training AI models on dusty environments and data fusion
16:16 – Focus on specialty crops as a starting point for autonomy
16:45 – Collaborations with OEMs like Floria and OMC
17:30 – Managing connectivity in remote farm locations
19:07 – Starlink and cellular solutions for remote operations
21:30 – The Amiga platform’s different configurations and applications
25:44 – Strategic move into precision spraying and harvest-related automation
28:28 – Future autonomous applications for open-field crops
37:44 – Autonomous nut shaker and harvesting efficiency
41:46 – Future of crop variability mapping and individual plant management
47:13 – Returning value through data management and software ecosystems
49:21 – Industry collaboration, standards, and evolving equipment
52:25 – Closing remarks and future outlook
Curious about autonomous farming? Check out this episode for additional robotics in farming: AgEmerge Podcast 182 with Dave Krog
