Bonsai Robotics purchases farm-ng, ushering in a new period of 'artificial intelligence-centric machines that will revolutionize agricultural management'
In a significant move for the agricultural technology (agtech) industry, Bonsai Robotics, a San Jose-based company specializing in autonomous AI software for agriculture, has acquired farm-ng, a California-based company known for its modular electric robots used in farm management. The merger aims to create one of the leading companies in autonomy for intelligent outdoor machines in adverse environments [1][2][3].
Bonsai Robotics, founded by Tyler Niday and Ugur Oezdemirin in 2022, has had a successful first year of commercial deployments, with over 50 machines deployed globally in the US and Australia, exceeding expectations and still having room for growth [4]. Farm-ng, on the other hand, was founded by Ethan Rublee in 2020 and raised $10 million to bring autonomy and robotics to smaller-scale growers [5].
The combined entity brings together Bonsai’s high-performance autonomous AI software and farm-ng’s modular and customizable robotic platforms, creating AI-first agricultural machines designed to improve farm productivity, reduce labor costs, and enhance operational efficiency across diverse crops and challenging environments [1][2][4].
Key aspects of this merger include the integration of software and hardware, a focus on adverse environments, mixed-fleet capabilities, and strong leadership. The merged company’s leadership includes Tyler Niday (Bonsai CEO), Brendan Dowdle (farm-ng’s former CEO now chief business officer), John Teeple (former John Deere technology director, COO), and Gary Bradski (computer vision expert and OpenCV founder, chief science officer) [2][3].
The combined entity plans to use a centralized app to control a fleet of farm-ng Amiga platforms for tasks like harvesting and picking up, with data from various tasks stored in the same location [6]. They are focusing on finding more efficient practices for tasks like shaking and sweeping in tree nut growing, allowing for twice the speed and a significant impact [7].
This acquisition signals a significant move toward AI-first autonomous machines that enhance agricultural productivity by combining advanced robotics and artificial intelligence tailored for outdoor farm challenges, including adverse environments [1][3][4]. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed [2][3].
The labor shortages in the agricultural sector are driving innovation in ag robotics, according to FIRA USA 2024 attendees. Niday believes that the acceptance and adoption of ag robotics technology are increasing, leading to a potentially tremendous year of sales in the orchard space due to labor shortages [8]. The combined entity aims to create solutions that boost efficiency and cut costs across a wider array of crops, tasks, and agricultural environments.
[1] https://www.agriculture.com/news/technology/bonsai-robotics-acquires-farm-ng-to-lead-autonomy-in-outdoor-machines [2] https://www.theverge.com/2025/07/15/23267121/bonsai-robotics-acquires-farm-ng-agriculture-robotics [3] https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/bonsai-robotics-acquires-farm-ng-boost-agriculture-autonomy-2025-07-15/ [4] https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconnelly/2025/07/15/bonsai-robotics-acquires-farm-ng-to-lead-autonomy-in-outdoor-machines/ [5] https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/15/bonsai-robotics-acquires-farm-ng-to-create-agricultural-robots-for-adverse-environments/ [6] https://www.theinformation.com/articles/bonsai-robotics-acquires-farm-ng-to-create-agricultural-robots-for-adverse-environments [7] https://www.agfundernews.com/bonsai-robotics-acquires-farm-ng-to-create-agricultural-robots-for-adverse-environments [8] https://www.agriculture.com/news/business/labor-shortages-driving-innovation-in-ag-robotics-according-to-fira-usa-2024-attendees
- The merger of Bonsai Robotics and farm-ng, both ventures in the agtech business, aims to create a leading authority in autonomy for intelligent outdoor machines, particularly in adverse environments that require artificial intelligence and sophisticated robotics.
- With combined resources following their merger, the company will develop AI-first agricultural machines, designed to boost farm productivity, reduce labor costs, and enhance operational efficiency across different crop types and challenging environments.
- As the agricultural sector continues to face labor shortages, the synergistic collaboration between Bonsai Robotics' AI software and farm-ng's modular robotic platforms promises a potential breakthrough in creating advanced farming equipment tailored for outdoor farm challenges, thereby addressing the need for innovation in the ag robotics industry.
