Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has taken a major step into precision agriculture with the creation of Yamaha Agriculture, Inc., a US-based company focused on delivering automation and digital solutions for specialty crop growers. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, the new entity will integrate technologies from two leading agtech innovators: Robotics Plus of New Zealand and The Yield Technology Solutions of Australia. The move follows Yamaha Motor’s acquisition of Robotics Plus, known for its expertise in robotics, automation, sensing, and data analytics. Robotics Plus has developed advanced Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) for spraying and weed control, as well as automated fruit packing systems and robotic log measurement solutions. These innovations position Robotics Plus as a pioneer in mechanizing laborintensive tasks, helping growers overcome workforce shortages and improve operational efficiency. As well, Yamaha Motor purchased assets from The Yield, a company specializing in AI (artificial intelligence)-powered analytics for agriculture. The Yield’s solutions optimize on-farm and off-farm operations, including yield prediction and critical decision support for harvest and spray timing. Yamaha previously collaborated with The Yield under a joint development agreement signed in 2021. By combining these capabilities, Yamaha Agriculture aims to deliver integrated solutions that help growers reduce input costs, optimize resources, and improve sustainability. The company will initially focus on producers of wine grapes, apples, and other specialty crops across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. “This move also aligns with Yamaha Motor’s global technology roadmap, focusing on advanced energy management, intelligent systems, and software-driven solutions. With the launch of this new company, we aim to leverage Yamaha’s technological expertise to contribute to sustainable and profitable farming, using a customer-centric approach,” stated Hajime Aota, Chief Strategy Officer at Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. Yamaha’s long-term vision—ART for Human Possibilities—underscores its commitment to “Advance the use of Robotics, Rethink Solution, Transform Mobility.” Agriculture has been identified as a strategic growth field, and Yamaha aims to make it a future core business by driving demand creation through automation and digital transformation. Nolan Paul, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Yamaha Agriculture, Inc., summed up by adding that, “Guided by our mission to ensure growers are sustainable, profitable, and resilient, Yamaha Agriculture recognizes that the challenges facing specialty crop growers require thoughtful solutions that will take time to develop.” | pag 18 PHOTO: Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. YAMAHA MOTOR LAUNCHES US PRECISION AGRICULTURE COMPANY Yamaha Motor establishes Yamaha Agriculture to integrate robotics and AI innovations from Australia and New Zealand for sustainable farming solutions. ANDREW JOSEPH FARMS.COM
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