Ezeh Ifesinachi discussed agricultural robotics research, with a presentation on the NAIO Orio robot's weed management capabilities in different soil types. Technical challenges and limitations were explored during the discussion of various robotic systems, including issues with GPS connectivity, mechanical constraints, and weed identification.

Robert Vomiero from the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services gives a presentation on machine and robotics safety from an Ag sector perspective.

Noah Ray from Area XO presented an update on their collaboration with NIO Oz, focusing on weed management in a pumpkin field.

Dr. Varinder Sidhu presented PlantTape's automated transplanting system, highlighting its efficiency and flexibility in sowing, germination, and transplanting crops, particularly vegetables.

Due to a last minute conflict, Cameron Waite was not able to present. He joined in the last minutes of the meeting to give a summary of his presentation, and will be rescheduled to a future date. The group focused on discussing recent experiences at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show.

The meeting focused on cybersecurity challenges and solutions in Ontario's agri-food sector, with presentations from Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst highlighting the increasing cyber threats facing farms and suppliers. The discussion covered various cybersecurity frameworks, resources, and programs available to help protect the agri-food sector, including government-funded initiatives and self-assessment tools.

The Haggerty team shared updates on their summer projects, including various agricultural engineering initiatives and developments in robotic systems for farming applications. Team members presented their work on scouting projects, weed control technologies, and autonomous vehicle systems, highlighting successful demonstrations and ongoing research efforts.

Kaya Moore presented updates on various Innovation Farm projects focused on agrobotics research, including trials of different robotic systems for planting, weeding, and vineyard operations, with particular emphasis on their efficiency, cost savings, and environmental impact.

The meeting focused on agricultural technology innovations, with presentations from Ukko Agro showcasing their predictive analytics platform for optimizing crop health and yield, and discussions about data ownership and sovereignty in agriculture.

The Agricultural Adaptation Council presented their Agri-food 2050 initiative, which aims to envision the future of agriculture and food in Ontario through industry collaboration, policy development, and strategic planning. The initiative has completed a micro-foresight exercise and is planning upcoming events focused on industry collaboration, with discussions around technology adoption, infrastructure, and the need for objective assessments of agricultural progress.

Bridget Mahon talks to our members about current and future plans with the AgRobotics Working Group - Demo Days, Robotics Competition, and Upcoming Events.

Lisa Ashton, Director of Agricultural Policy at RBC Thought Leadership, presented on the agri-food sector's economic development potential and discussed trade negotiations, export performance, and supply management challenges.

Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has established a new venture capital arm, FCC Capital, to expand its role in the agricultural innovation ecosystem. The venture capital market, particularly in AgTech, remains robust despite recent fluctuations, with increasing diversification of investment sources and a focus on IP-differentiated businesses.

Derek presented Studica Robotics' development of a high school farm robotics challenge in partnership with OCTE (Ontario Council for Technological Education), which will expand to Canada-wide in 2025-2026. The challenge aims to inspire students to solve real-world agricultural problems using robotics and automation, with tasks including weed detection, harvesting, and pollination.

This meeting took place in person at the Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. Bill Vandenoever from Bold Robotics presented on making robotics work for the North American grower.

Today’s meeting featured a presentation from Hamid of Vertical Data, who introduced their AI deployment solutions and V-box for vision technology. The meeting covered technical presentations on GPU architectures and vision accelerators, while also touching on industry collaborations and new hiring developments in the robotics sector.

Danny Bernstein from the Reservoir in California presented on their agrobotics initiatives and challenges faced by ag tech startups, particularly in specialty crops, while introducing their new venture capital fund and incubator program aimed at supporting early-stage companies.

Konrad introduced his company which specializes in custom engineered automation systems and pre-engineered solutions. He explained the development of the Adapto system, a modular and scalable machine capable of achieving 2-second cycle times, which has been used in various industries including automotive, medical device, and energy storage.

The meeting focused on advancing agricultural technology through collaboration and innovation, with discussions on AI, semiconductors, and data management in the agtech ecosystem. Participants shared updates on upcoming events and initiatives, including plans for panel discussions and a working group meeting. The role of government and industry in supporting agricultural innovation was explored, emphasizing the need for resources, human capital, and collaboration to drive projects forward.

The meeting focused on the University of Waterloo's cooperative education (Co-OP) program and its robotics research initiatives. Alyssa Kuron from Waterloo's Co-op department presented an overview of the university's innovative culture, emphasizing its strong startup ecosystem and extensive research capabilities. She highlighted the benefits of hiring Co-op students, including their affordability, work experience, and ability to contribute to long-term talent strategies.

Shaun Sharp from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada presented on physical weed management principles and applications for precision agriculture. He explained the concept of ecology in weed control, emphasizing the understanding of past and present weed ecology to manage them.