Innovation in Action: Agricultural Robotics Demo Day Thrills Attendees in Bradford
By: Noah Long, Agriculture & Marketing Intern, Western Fair District
On July 8, a crowd of farmers, students, robotics teams, and government representatives gathered at the Bradford Ontario Crops Research Station and Smith Gardens for an exciting day of agricultural innovation. The demo day was presented by the AgRobotics Working Group and Innovations Farms Ontario, alongside staff from the Bradford Research Station and Haggerty AgRobotics, and offered attendees a unique opportunity to witness cutting edge agricultural robots in action. Organizers acknowledged the funding support from OMAFA through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and FCC AgExpert through Innovation Farms Ontario.
Despite cloudy skies and a light misting, the mood was calm and curious, with over 75 attendees eager to learn how the latest technology is shaping the future of farming. With five live demos, a catered lunch (thanks to sponsors STEM Minds, FCC AgExpert, and the University of Guelph), and intellectual conversations throughout the day, the event proved both educational and inspiring.
Opening remarks by Bridget Mahon from the Western Fair District. Photo by Kate Baresich, Haggerty AgRobotics.
5 Robotic Demos That Sparked Curiosity
Each robotic demo brought something different to the field, from nutrient scanning to laser precision weed control. Here are the highlights:
Picketa Systems LENS - University of Guelph
The day kicked off with the Picketa Systems LENS, a flashlight shaped device that uses light waves to scan plant leaves and instantly read macro and micronutrient levels. Originally designed for potato crops, it’s now expanding to others.
“This technology is going to continue to improve, and we’re excited about the direction it’s heading,” said Geoff Farintosh from the University of Guelph. Though they struggled to find “unhealthy” leaves for the scan, attendees were intrigued by its speed and potential.
Pixel Farming Laser Weeder - Haggerty AgRobotics
This sleek, futuristic machine wowed the crowd with a laser show, literally. After uploading images of confetti to its system, the robot pinpointed and burned confetti patches to showcase its accuracy.
The audience couldn’t get enough. There were plenty of “oohs” and “ahhs,” and many dropped to their hands and knees to inspect the machine up close.
“It would shock you how many of these robots cannot get wet,” Chuck Baresich of Haggerty AgRobotics joked, emphasizing both the capabilities and limitations of the tech.
BHF Robotics - David Tao
Next up was a weed targeting system that blended slow precision with a powerful punch. The robot scanned a six-by-six box, then methodically cut and burned detected weeds.
While some attendees questioned its speed, others saw long-term promise. One farmer noted, “The idea is there, it just needs refining.”
David also showcased a solar powered mini utility vehicle. A practical, farm friendly alternative to golf-style carts.
BHF Robotics begins their demonstration. Photo by Kate Baresich, Haggerty AgRobotics.
FarmDroid - Kevin Van Der Kooi
This solar-powered robot was a fan favorite for its ‘set it and forget it’ design. Pre-mapped and fully autonomous, it can run for up to 23 hours straight in Southern Ontario’s climate.
“Who needs to worry about speed when you could be doing literally anything else in the meantime?” laughed presenter Kevin Van Der Kooi.
FarmDroid in action. Photo by Kate Baresich, Haggerty AgRobotics.
ARA - Ecorobotix
This speed demon has been in development since 2014 and is marketed for its fast, accurate, and reliable weed spraying. The robot itself is hitched to a tractor and could be pulled along at higher speeds. It required few words because its demo spoke volumes.
There was a flurry of questions about nozzle clogs, but the answer was simple: cleanliness counts. Issues usually come from dirty herbicide tanks, not the system itself.
A ‘Working’ Lunch
Lunch was catered by the local Subway, and it was more than a meal — it was a moment of connection. Attendees shared thoughts over subs and Peacasa chips (a surprise hit, developed by a Grove tenant) and discussed where agricultural tech is headed.
A leek farmer summed it up best:
“A lot of this tech wouldn’t make sense on my farm right now, but I love coming out to events like this. Agriculture is changing fast, and I want to stay on top of it in order to be on the front lines of groundbreaking robotics.”
Final Impressions
As the day wrapped up, people left inspired, curious, and full of questions, just as a successful demo day should. The gratitude was obvious in the conversations, handshakes, and thanks shared on the way out.
A representative from the Western Fair District summed it up:
“These demo days are what our work on the ag side leads up to. Seeing the robotics in action and the excitement around them creates such an inspiring atmosphere.”
The AgRobotics Working Group is funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The Sustainable CAP is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.
Innovation Farms Ontario is powered by FCC’s AgExpert and is part of a network of Canadian demonstration farms to support Canadian farmers and foster agricultural innovation.
