UV-Powered Robots Are Cutting Pesticide Use in Strawberry Fields
📷 Image source: techcrunch.com
The Robotic Solution to Chemical Farming
In California's strawberry fields, where pesticide use has long been a contentious issue, a startup called TRIC Robotics is deploying an unlikely weapon: ultraviolet light. The company's autonomous robots roam crop rows at night, bathing plants in precise UV-C wavelengths that neutralize fungal pathogens without chemicals.
How Light Replaces Toxins
"UV-C disrupts microbial DNA just like it does in hospital sterilization systems," explains TRIC CEO Ian McKay. "But our breakthrough was developing the exact exposure parameters that kill powdery mildew and botrytis without harming the plant." Traditional growers typically spray fungicides weekly; TRIC's treatment requires just two nocturnal passes per week.
Field Tests Show Dramatic Reductions
During 2024 trials with major berry producer Driscoll's, the system achieved 92% reduction in fungicide applications while maintaining equivalent yield. Perhaps more crucially for farmers, the $3/acre treatment cost undercuts conventional chemical expenses by 40%. Early adopters like Swanton Berry Farm report the added benefit of regained USDA organic certification after switching to the system.
The Technology Behind the Glow
Each four-wheeled robot combines multispectral imaging for disease detection with 360-degree UV emitters. Machine learning algorithms adjust light intensity based on plant size and pathogen load. "It's not just about replacing sprays," notes CTO Daniel Seita. "Our sensors create the first real-time maps of fungal pressure, allowing precision treatment."
Scaling Up the Green Revolution
With $14 million in Series A funding led by AgFunder, TRIC plans to expand from current 500-acre deployments to cover 5% of California's $3 billion strawberry market by 2026. The company is already adapting the technology for grapes and tomatoes, potentially disrupting the $70 billion global fungicide market.
As consumer demand for pesticide-free produce grows and regulatory pressures increase, UV robotics may signal a new era of sustainable agriculture—one where clean light replaces toxic chemicals in our food supply.
#AgTech #SustainableFarming #Robotics #FoodTech #PesticideFree
