Bonsai Robotics, UCANR Innovate, and AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems Partner for Fourth Annual Farm Robotics Challenge
Past participants of the Farm Robotics Challenge.
Bonsai Robotics, formerly farm-ng, is proud to announce its fourth consecutive year as a partner for the Farm Robotics Challenge, in collaboration with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR) Innovate and the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems. This powerful partnership aims to empower the next generation of agricultural innovators by connecting student teams with real-world farming challenges.
The Farm Robotics Challenge is an annual competition that brings together students from high school through university to develop solutions for the agricultural industry using robotics and AI. This year's challenge, like previous years, provides a unique opportunity for students to build in-demand skills, expand their professional networks, and showcase their talent to industry leaders. It is open to university teams, community colleges, and secondary school teams with varying cash prize amounts.
A highlight for the Santa Cruz community is the local involvement in past years. In the 2023 challenge, the Santa Cruz-based team, "Electrified Slugs" from UC Santa Cruz, won the Small Farms Solution prize. They were recognized for their autonomous navigation software, which enabled the Amiga robot to efficiently weed plant lines on small organic farms. This success underscores the role Santa Cruz has played in fostering agricultural innovation and robotics talent.
This year's challenge offers something for everyone:
Students: Teams will compete for up to $10,000 in cash prizes through the Amiga Innovation Award. The University Division I winner will also be eligible for a Bonsai Amiga hardware and software package valued up to $25,000, awarded upon the incorporation of their company to commercialize their solution.
Growers and Agtech Companies: These industry partners are invited to submit real-world challenges for student teams to solve, creating a direct pipeline for innovative solutions that address pressing needs in the field.
Interested participants must let their interest be known by October 10, 2025.
