Bluewhite

Bluewhite brings autonomy to orchards, vineyards, and specialty crops with an aftermarket solution for tractors. “Pathfinder” can be attached to almost any tractor model; it leverages AI, computer vision, and navigation technology to help the tractor execute a wide range of farming tasks. Bluewhite’s hardware includes sensors, lidar, cameras, and algorithms to help the tractor “see” and collect data in the field. The tractor doesn’t rely on GPS or real-time positioning, which means it can service remote areas. Equipped with Bluewhite’s technology, the same tractor can spray, disc, furrow, mow, harvest, and more—though farmers can take immediate manual control of the tractor if necessary.

Rather than selling its equipment as a one-off product, Bluewhite offers Pathfinder as part of a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) plan. The end-to-end service includes both the hardware and Bluewhite’s technology stack, Compass, which allows farmers to control their entire Bluewhite fleet remotely, get real-time data and visibility into operations (e.g., chemical data, equipment runtime, operational efficiencies, and more), and access detailed insights about their crops. The full-service package includes comprehensive training, customized support terms to fit customers’ operational needs, and 24/7 in-field and remote support as part of a five-year contract.

“The average annual cost of operating a legacy tractor is $100,000,” explains Founder and CEO Ben Alfi. “By equipping existing fleets with autonomous technology and an intuitive platform, and offering it back as a full-service, opex package that significantly reduces operational, maintenance, and labor costs, we make it possible for farmers to afford their technology again.”