BeeHero's Pollination Insight Platform gives an infield look at bee pollination behavior. Photo via BeeHero

For an industry where cost and access to labor is uncertain in even the best conditions, agriculture has long looked to tech for solutions in automation.

With the AI revolution in full bloom on farms, it’s no surprise companies making use of the latest technology are well represented at the World Ag Expo, which kicks off today and runs through Thursday at the International Agri-Center in Tulare.

One of the products, the Pollination Insight Platform, was tested in the Central Valley, and maker BeeHero has a Fresno County office. Others promise automation in farm tasks including lifting crates and spraying weeds on the ground and even from the air.

Here are some of the AI highlights from the Top 10 New Products at the World Ag Expo in Tulare.

Bees need a hero

For some companies, their entire mission can be summed up in a name.

That’s the case for BeeHero, the data-driven precision pollination company with offices in Del Rey, Israel and Australia.

BeeHero is where its clients — growers and beekeepers — are. For California, that is ground zero in the fight to protect nature’s perfect pollinators that ensure the future of California’s $4.7 billion almond industry. 

BeeHero gives apiarists a look inside the bee’s world with patented-plug-and-play sensors and AI to give data-backed insights into pollination activity.

BeeHero’s Pollination Insight Platform (PIP) tracks activity in the field, including bee visits to flowers, behavior and environmental conditions.

BeeHero’s pollination systems cover more than 200,000 acres in seven countries. In addition to almonds, BeeHero has also collaborated with Washington State apple farmers to capture data on how growers can use hive removal timing to trim expenses. Avocados, blueberries, canola seed, cherries and raspberries are other crops that can use bee pollination.

BeeHero has certainly made a splash, named one of The Best Inventions of 2024 by Time magazine. The Israeli startup has also pulled in more than $64 million in venture funding.

At the World Ag Expo:
BeeHero
Pollination Insight Platform (PIP)
Exhibit Space: 2013

Autonomous in the air

Pelican Spray is an autonomous electric crop sprayer designed and built by Pyka in Alameda, California. Pelican Spray uses a combination of precision spray and drift reduction technologies to optimize chemical output and reduce costs for growers. The aircraft is fully automated, can be controlled from a laptop computer and can fly and spray both during the day and at night. Newly redesigned for 2025, the next-generation model boasts a heavier payload, higher productivity and commercially proven reliability in the field—delivering unmatched value to growers worldwide, according to a news release.

At the World Ag Expo:
Pelican Spray by Pyka, Alameda, CA
Space SS63

Precision spraying saves

The Ecorobotix ARA Ultra-High Precision Sprayer represents a transformative advancement for the agriculture industry, according to a news release. Powered by Ecorobotix’s Plant-by-Plant AI Software, ARA’s high-definition cameras scan fields to detect and distinguish weeds from crops, applying treatments with precision, covering an area of just 2.4×2.4 inches. This adaptable system can be used year-round—even at night and in windy conditions—delivering various crop protection products (herbicides, insecticides, etc.) and fertilizers with up to 95% reduction in product use.

At the World Ag Expo:
ARA, The Ultra-High Precision Sprayer
by Ecorobotix, Pasco, WA
Space: S54

Robot does the lugging

AutoFill is an integrated technology available on existing Oxbo 7440 and 7450 berry harvesters, with a limited release in 2025 and full release in 2026. AutoFill is designed to reduce labor costs by up to 75% and increase harvest efficiency by automating labor-intensive tasks such as de-stacking and filling lugs, or containers that hold produce. AutoFill improves efficiency when harvesting for fresh or processed and in all tonnages.

At the World Ag Expo:
Autofill by Oxbo, Lynden, WA
Space: S54

AI-driven tomato weeder

The Vulcan T380 is an advanced AI-driven weeder specifically developed for the tomato processing industry, marking FarmWise’s first foray into broader-acre crop solutions. This next-generation, machine learning-powered precision weeding and cultivation tool addresses the industry’s demand for more efficient and cost-effective weed management practices.

The T380’s foundation model has been meticulously trained over the years using a comprehensive dataset of shadow-free, high-resolution images of tomato plants at various growth stages and under diverse soil and weed pressure conditions. By harnessing this extensive image library alongside FarmWise’s cutting-edge computer vision and precision control systems, the Vulcan T380 achieves remarkable accuracy in predicting tomato stem locations and eliminating weeds at operational speeds of 2–4 mph, according to a new release.

At the World Ag Expo:
Vulcan T380 by FarmWise Labs, Inc, Salinas, CA
Space: N32

 

Other Top 10 products at the World Ag Expo though Thursday:

3 in 1 Orchard Brush Rake-Shredder-Blower by HCL Machine Works, Dos Palos, CA

Self-propelled OMC Brush Shredder with a front mounted orchard brush rake and a rear mounted blower. This machine does three tasks in one and does it more efficiently than ever before, according to a news release.

At the World Ag Expo: Space SS65

FlexiRiser Pump Puller by Water Well Rentals/Hose Solutions, Scottsdale, AZ

The FlexiRiser is a hydraulic, trailer-mounted spool system designed to install and retrieve submersible pumps at the push of a button.

At the World Ag Expo: Space K26

Garford Electric Weeder by Garford Farm Machinery, Brooklyn Park, MN

The Garford Electric Weeder brings electric weeding technology to salad, brassica, and vegetable crop applications. It represents an industry solution, combining best-in-class power electronics, imaging and artificial intelligence to create an unrivaled weed control solution for row crops, according to a news release.

At the World Ag Expo: Space 2016, 2017

Seppi Miniforst Pick Up CL 175 by Seppi M. and Gearmore, Inc, Chino, CA

Engineered to boost soil health and vineyard management efficiency, the Seppi Miniforst CL175 stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture. Equipped with unique dual feed rotors, this advanced shredder grabs, feeds and mulches branches and prunings of all sizes. The Seppi Miniforst was built to tackle all species of wood, shredding up to 8-inch diameter material, then dispersing the organics back onto the soil where they will decompose more quickly, enriching the soil health while simplifying vineyard pruning management.

At the World Ag Expo: Space P24, P26

Synergy Blower by Flory Industries, Salida, CA

The Synergy Blower is a hydraulically driven berm blower that has been integrated into the Flory VR700 Side Mount Shaker. It was designed to clean berms during the almond and walnut tree shaking process. Eliminating an entire sweeping pass, it reduces passes by up to 50%, resulting in less dust, cleaner windrows, reduced equipment usage, and lower labor demands. The hydraulically powered fan and damper are easily and quickly controlled from the cab to suit specific orchard conditions, providing growers with a practical and efficient harvesting solution.

Space: N18, N20, N22