Strawberry fields go clever: California farms deploy robots with UV light to kill pests without chemicals

California strawberry growers are deploying autonomous robots equipped with ultraviolet light and high-powered vacuums to combat pests without traditional pesticides. TRIC Robotics, a U.S.-based agricultural technology company, is leading this transformation with its Luna platform, offering farmers a full-service solution that promises to reduce chemical dependency while cutting labor costs and improving profitability.

What you should know: The Luna platform represents a significant shift toward precision agriculture in one of California’s most valuable crops.
• The multi-row robot is designed specifically for strawberry farms and can carry various payloads, including UV treatment booms and bug vacuum systems.
• TRIC Robotics positions this as a complete service solution rather than just selling equipment, handling the entire pest control operation for farmers.

Why this matters: This technology addresses multiple pressures facing modern agriculture, from rising labor costs to increasing consumer demand for chemical-free produce.
• Strawberry farming traditionally relies heavily on pesticides and manual labor, making it an ideal testing ground for autonomous agricultural solutions.
• The approach could provide a template for reducing chemical inputs across other high-value crops while maintaining yields.

How it works: The Luna robots combine physical and light-based pest control methods to target harmful insects without chemicals.
• High-powered vacuums physically remove pests from plants, while UV light treatments can disrupt pest lifecycles and potentially sterilize certain insects.
• The multi-row design allows the robots to cover more ground efficiently compared to single-row alternatives.

The bigger picture: This development reflects the broader trend of agricultural robotics addressing labor shortages and sustainability concerns simultaneously.
• California’s strawberry industry faces particular pressure from both environmental regulations and worker availability issues.
• The success of chemical-free robotic solutions in strawberries could accelerate adoption across other specialty crops that currently depend heavily on pesticide applications.