Kubota Corporation, the Japanese agricultural machinery giant, has announced the acquisition of U.S.-based startup Bloomfield Robotics, a company specializing in AI-driven crop monitoring solutions. Bloomfield, now a subsidiary of Kubota North America (KNA), brings advanced image analysis technology to optimize harvest timing and provide yield prediction services for specialty crops such as grapes and blueberries.
This acquisition represents a strategic move by Kubota to accelerate innovation in specialty crop farming, a sector that has lagged behind in the adoption of automation and digitization compared to row crop farming. With Bloomfield’s technology, Kubota aims to bridge this gap by integrating data-driven insights into its machinery to improve farm operations and crop outcomes.
Advanced Crop Monitoring for Specialty Farms
Bloomfield’s technology enables continuous, detailed plant-level inspections using cameras mounted on tractors or other farm vehicles. These cameras capture geo-located images of crops, regardless of light conditions or vehicle speed. The startup’s AI processes these images to predict the optimal time for harvesting based on fruit color, maturity, and size, helping farmers manage labor and resources more efficiently.
This SaaS-based approach allows farmers to make data-backed decisions on plant treatment and harvest timing, leading to improved crop quality, increased yields, and reduced operational costs.
Strategic Expansion for Kubota
The acquisition is part of Kubota’s broader strategy to integrate more data and automation into specialty crop farming, which includes fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts. While automation in row crop farming has seen rapid advancements, specialty crops have been slower to adopt similar technologies. By acquiring Bloomfield, Kubota can leverage its AI expertise and expand its offering to specialty crop farmers through enhanced crop monitoring technologies integrated into tractors, sprayers, and other farm equipment.
“This acquisition allows us to fast-track the development of precision agriculture solutions tailored to specialty crop farmers,” said a Kubota representative. “We are committed to providing innovative tools that enhance productivity and sustainability in agriculture.”
About Bloomfield Robotics
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bloomfield Robotics has quickly gained recognition for its advanced crop monitoring services. The company's technology combines image analysis and AI to deliver real-time insights to farmers, enabling better decision-making and farm management. Led by CEO Mark DeSantis, Bloomfield’s technology aligns with Kubota’s vision of smarter, more efficient farming through the use of cutting-edge technology.
With this acquisition, Kubota is poised to strengthen its position as a leader in the agricultural technology space, bringing AI-powered solutions to the forefront of specialty crop farming. The integration of Bloomfield’s expertise into Kubota’s machinery portfolio marks a significant step toward modernizing farming practices and driving the future of agriculture.
.png)
