20th Southwest Ag Summit Showcases AI, Laser Technology for Yuma Farmers

Niqo Robotics showcased its 3-in-1 Precision AI Robot at the 20th Southwest Ag Summit in Yuma, joining Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder and a slate of university and vendor presentations aimed at shrinking labor needs and input costs for specialty-crop growers. Local farmer Steve Alameda highlighted innovations addressing agricultural challenges during the event, which featured classroom sessions and field demonstrations across the campus program.

Niqo’s platform combines thinning, weeding and targeted beneficial spraying into a single field operation, and the company announced expanded algorithm capabilities to support onion, broccoli, kale, tomatoes and more. Jaisimha Rao, Founder and CEO of Niqo Robotics, said, “Yuma remains one of the most important specialty crop regions in the United States. When we speak to growers in Yuma, the message is consistent; they need dependable solutions that work in real field conditions. Labor gaps can't wait, and margins are under pressure. Our 3-in-1 platform is designed to deliver measurable impact in the field by reducing multiple passes and optimizing inputs. We see the future of specialty crop farming as one where robotics works alongside growers to create more predictable, efficient operations.”

Carbon Robotics promoted its LaserWeeder at field demo slots and in the AG-TECH program, with company material stating the system can “reduce weed control costs by 80% and improve crop yield and quality.” The firm also describes a LaserThinning capability that “does not require the use of any chemicals or manual hand labor, is unaffected by wind or moisture, and can be performed during the day or night.” Company material notes the LaserWeeder fleet has eliminated more than 500 million weeds across 40 crops.

Program sessions were tightly scheduled: the AG-TECH: Innovations in Weed Control and Vegetable Crop Production Technologies session ran in AS112 from 1:30–3:10 p.m., moderated by Dr. Charles Sanchez of the University of Arizona, with Brent Shedd of Verdant Robotics at 1:30–1:50 p.m., Brett Goodwin of Carbon Robotics at 1:50–2:10 p.m., Olivia Soares De Camargo and Marcus Lung of Ecorobotix at 2:10–2:30 p.m., and Greg Chiocco of FarmWise at 2:30–2:50 p.m. An Intelligence in Agriculture track in AS105 ran 9:30–11:30 a.m. with Dr. Elia Scudiero, Dr. Andrew French, Dr. Milt McGiffen and Dr. Charles Sanchez on soil mapping, water accounting, remote sensing and variable rate fertilizer management.

Field demos in the Keithly-Williams demo area began early; the schedule listed a Forigo Modula Jet at 8:00 a.m., Carbon Robotics’ Laser Weeder at 8:15 a.m., and demonstrations from FarmWise, Sutton Ag Enterprise, Bingham Equipment and others through late morning. Organizers and partners for the Summit include the University of Arizona, Arizona Western College, Yuma County Farm Bureau and the Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association, with programming that also covers irrigation management, immigration reform, fresh produce safety and energy conservation.

The Summit’s emphasis on robotics, lasers and AI reflects pressure points in Yuma’s production economy, the region is surrounded by more than 6 million acres of irrigated land within 120 miles, and underscores vendors’ pitch that technology can shrink labor needs and tighten margins for year-round vegetable production in the desert Southwest.