The Burro platform is gaining traction in many US fields and nurseries by improving manual labor efficiencies. The platforms can be purchased from the company or rented through Pacific Ag Rentals. The small four-wheeled platforms can perform simple tasks autonomously. They first gained success in table grapes and have since expanded to nurseries, citrus, and berries. Configured correctly, the platforms can autonomously pull equipment weighing up to 5,000 pounds.
Burro was one of many companies demonstrated during the annual FIRA USA conference held earlier this year in Salinas, California. The platforms can be outfitted with cameras and other equipment to improve efficiency on farms and in nurseries. Thiesen said a customer with specialty citrus improved harvest efficiency by 30% in their field work. Another customer is using it to autonomously spread ant bait in vineyards.
