# 47. Robotic Farming Makes Produce Better & Cheaper

- Show: [The Next Byte Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast)
- Published: 2021-12-07
- Length: 24m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper
- Listen: https://the-next-byte-wevolver.simplecast.com/episodes/47-how-robotic-farming-will-make-produce-better-cheaper-w8a3S_F6

## Summary

Daniel and Forbode discuss how robotic systems are revolutionizing agriculture by addressing inefficiencies in conventional farming. They analyze two key approaches: a configurable adaptive and scalable swarm system (CASS) from Texas A&M University, which uses collaborative drones and ground robots, and Pixel Farming Robotics, a Dutch company offering modular, lightweight autonomous robots. The hosts highlight specific technologies like wireless inductive charging from Wi-Fi On and Varda batteries, emphasizing how these innovations reduce soil compaction, chemical usage, and operational costs while increasing yield.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper#t=0) Introduction: The Next Byte Podcast and Sponsor Read
- [1:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper#t=101) Texas A&M's CASS: Swarm Robotics and Digital Twins
- [8:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper#t=497) CASS Operation: Drone-Ground Robot Collaboration
- [12:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper#t=724) Pixel Farming Robotics: Modular Design and Pain Points
- [15:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper#t=924) Pixel Farming Hardware: Wireless Charging and Sealing
- [19:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper#t=1140) Battery Solutions: Varda Packs and Energy Density
- [21:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper#t=1261) Future Outlook: Configurability and Yield Goals

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Batteries & low-power design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/batteries-and-low-power)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Mouser Electronics (company)
- Texas A&M (company)
- USDA (company)
- John Deere (company)
- CASS (product)
- Pixel Farming Robotics (company)
- Wi-Fi On (company)
- Varda (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode Seven - Agricultural Robotics: Farming for the future](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2021-04-30-episode-seven-agricultural-robotics-farming-for-the-future) (Robot Talk)
- [FIRA 2025 Ag robotics recap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-10-24-fira-2025-ag-robotics-recap) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode 69: Robots on the farm - Elizabeth Sklar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-01-19-episode-69-robots-on-the-farm-elizabeth-sklar) (Robot Talk)
- [Agribotics with Suma Reddy; Space Lasers; The Truth About Tesla FSD](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2021-03-13-agribotics-with-suma-reddy-space-lasers-the-truth-about-tesla-fsd) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Robots and automation at the World Ag Expo 2023](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-02-20-robots-and-automation-at-the-world-ag-expo-2023) (The Robot Report Podcast)

## Citing this page

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