Top 5 disruptive technologies in agriculture : where do we stand and how are they evolving?

Written By Guillaumot Maxence

Modern agriculture is undergoing a major transformation with the emergence of disruptive technologies that are radically changing production methods. I closely follow these developments and focus only on solutions that have the potential to improve agriculture by at least 15%—what I consider true breakthrough technologies. Here are five innovations redefining the sector, their current state, their limitations, and their full potential in 5 and 15 years.

Interstellar's autonomous harvester

1. Laser Weeding: Precision and Reduction of Inputs

Where Are We Now?


Laser weeding is emerging as an alternative to herbicides, with solutions such as those from Carbon Robotics. This technology allows weeds to be targeted with millimeter precision and without chemical products. From 2015 to 2025, weed control has seen a revolution, with many new solutions emerging—some more or less expensive, and some more or less effective. However, laser weeding is the only technology that has demonstrated such vast potential for the future. 

Learn more about my vision on the latest G2 laser weeder solution

Advantages

  • Full reduction of herbicide use, fully organic

  • Increased yields due to less herbicide impact

  • Decrease in manual weeding labor by 50-70%

  • Manual labor can represent between 5 - 60% of the production costs in horticulture

  • Data automation and time savings for farmers

  • Higher working windows + works in high density crops

  • Preservation of biodiversity and soil health

Limitations

  • High equipment costs (500,000$/meter)

  • Limited processing speed (1km/h)

  • Poor management of overgrown weeds

What is the Full Potential, for when ?


Within 5 years, we can expect increased processing speed and reduced costs. In 10 years, lasers will be accompanied by very, very powerful AI models, leaving no chance for the slightest weed.  As the production of organic or herbicide-free vegetables will expand in Europe, North America and Australia, demand for these solutions will increase. The target market of farmers restricted by stricter regulations on chemical inputs will grow. Moreover, with more competition and technological advancements, machine prices could decrease tenfold due to increased competition and more affordable AI and materials. I think that by 2035, there will be a laser weeder on every horticultural farm in developed markets.

New G2 laserweeder - Credit : Carbon Robotics

Tractors Automation

I’ve been following tractor automation for years, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the industry loves bold promises. But beyond the flashy demos and marketing buzz (2016 with CASE release the first video), is autonomy truly reshaping farming? Let’s take a step back and analyze where we stand, before watching where we will stand in 10 years.

CUrrent situation

Autonomous tractors are no longer science fiction. GPS RTK, AI-powered sensors, and computer vision have transformed these machines into highly precise tools. The pitch is simple: reduce labor dependency, increase efficiency, and optimize inputs. And at CES 2025, John Deere doubled down on this vision by unveiling three autonomous implements, including the 9RX autonomous tractor. With its 16-camera 360-degree vision, it promises unparalleled precision for large-scale operations, but we're still a long way from worldwide deployment and the reality of operations.

Yet, while the technology is impressive, real-world adoption remains slow. Why? Because autonomy in farming is about much more than just removing the driver.

Learn more about my vision of the latest release by John Deere and Tractor automation

John Deere Credit : CES Las Vegas 2025

Advantages

  • Labor Cost Reduction – In large-scale farming, autonomy could slash operational costs by 10-25% by eliminating the need for drivers. But let’s be honest—fully autonomous farms are still a long way off.

  • Unmatched Precision – RTK GPS and AI-driven sensors minimize input waste, potentially cutting fuel, fertilizer, and chemical usage by 5-10%. In an era of rising costs, that’s a game-changer.

  • 24/7 Operations – A self-driving tractor doesn’t take breaks. It works through the night, maximizing efficiency and reducing the need for multiple machines. In theory, that means fewer tractors, fewer operators, and streamlined fleets.

  • Less Stress, More Strategy – GPS guidance has already given farmers relief from endless hours of steering. Full autonomy could take this further, allowing them to focus on farm management rather than fieldwork.

Limitations

  • Cost vs. ROI – A high-horsepower autonomous tractor like AgXeed costs roughly $2,000 per horsepower, compared to a conventional one at $1,000 per horsepower. At these prices, how long before autonomy pays off?

  • The “Dumb Implement” Problem – Most autonomous tractors still rely on traditional implements. Until plows, seeders, and sprayers gain their own intelligence and self-monitoring capabilities, full automation remains incomplete.

  • Adaptability Issues – No two fields are alike. Mud, uneven terrain, and unexpected obstacles make autonomy far trickier than in controlled environments like warehouses.

  • Regulatory and Safety Hurdles – Can a machine react to an unexpected situation as well as a human? Autonomous tractors require a robust legal framework to ensure safe deployment, and we’re not quite there yet.

  • Skills Gap – The reality is that most farmers aren’t software engineers. If autonomy requires constant IT support and sensor calibration, it won’t fly in the real world.

  • Dependence on Manufacturers – Often locked down by manufacturers, limiting farmers' ability to repair or modify their own machines. This creates a long-term dependency where access to critical software and maintenance may be restricted or tied to expensive subscriptions.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Right now, we’re only scratching the surface of tractor automation, and the market is far from mature. The reality is that skilled tractor operators are still widely available and affordable, with wages ranging between €18-30 per hour. At this cost, it remains much cheaper and more practical to employ a driver than to invest in a fully autonomous tractor.

The pricing models proposed by startups currently commercializing autonomous solutions seem unrealistic in today’s market conditions. However, what about in 5 years? 10 years? That’s the real question. Given the current pace of development, I believe it will take at least another 5 to 10 years before autonomous tractors become truly reliable, scalable, and financially viable for most farms.

That being said, once a major manufacturer officially launches a fully autonomous tractor, the market will accelerate rapidly. Implement manufacturers will be forced to make their implements smarter, and a snowball effect will take hold. This could significantly shorten the adoption curve, but for now, the farming world will have to wait before seeing fully autonomous tractors capable of handling every task on the farm. The technology is coming, but it’s not quite ready yet.

Autonomous Harvesting: The Next Big Disruption in Horticulture

The Current Landscape

Autonomous harvesting machines are no longer just prototypes—they are slowly making their way into commercial use. Equipped with AI-powered vision, robotic arms, and precision sensors, these machines aim to replace human labor in fruit and vegetable picking. The promise? A significant reduction in seasonal labor dependency and a major drop in production costs.

Yet, despite these advancements, today’s solutions are far from perfect. Even with multiple robotic arms, most autonomous harvesters operate at only half the speed and efficiency of human workers. Fragile crops, irregular shapes, and unpredictable growing conditions still pose major challenges.

Learn more about a grower using these technologies since 4 years

Advantages

  • Massive Cost Savings – If perfected, autonomous harvesting could reduce production costs by 20% to 60%, a game-changer in a sector heavily reliant on manual labor.

  • Labor Shortage Solution – Many fruit and vegetable farms rely on seasonal workers, a workforce that is becoming increasingly difficult to secure. Robots could provide a reliable alternative.

  • Harvest Consistency – AI-driven harvesting systems can ensure fruit and vegetables are picked at optimal ripeness, improving quality and reducing waste.

  • 24/7 Operations potential – Unlike human workers, machines don’t need breaks. They can harvest day and night, increasing efficiency during peak seasons.

    Limitations

  • Speed and Efficiency Gaps – Even the most advanced robotic harvesters today are still twice as slow as human pickers

  • Delicate Handling Issues – Soft fruits like strawberries and cherries require extreme precision. Machines struggle to match the dexterity and care of human hands

  • High Initial Costs – Developing and purchasing autonomous harvesting machines is very expensive, raising the question of ROI for most farmers

  • Poorer harvest quality and losses - Compared to humans, robots do not yet have the same sensitivity to picking quality, and the same goes for hidden fruit, which is not perceived by the robot.

  • Crop Variability Challenges – Unlike uniform factory conditions, farms deal with unpredictable plant growth, weather changes, and different harvesting conditions, making full automation complex.

    What Is the Full Potential, and for When?

    In my opinion, harvesting is emerging as the next big revolution in horticulture, especially in markets that still rely heavily on seasonal manual labor. Reducing production costs by up to 60% represents a HUGE opportunity, but the technology isn't there yet.

    At the moment, these robots simply aren't fast enough or accurate enough to completely replace humans. However, with continued advances in AI, robotics and machine learning, I'm convinced we could see significant progress in the next 5 to 8 years in indoor farming.

    From a personal point of view, I think it will be another 10 to 15 years before the technology can fully meet the needs of the outdoor market. In discussions with solution manufacturers, I believe that improvements in hardware can double productivity, as can improvements in software. But I don't think that will be enough to really be faster and more productive than humans, in therms of cost efficiency. So I'm still convinced that it's going to take another 50% increase in the price of labor, or a crisis like covid to shake up the market once again, to speed up development.

    What's more, in perennial crops, change takes time, as new orchards planted today are an investment for the next 20 years minimum. The automation of orchards, and especially their harvesting, will probably require a particularly simplified cultivation system.

    For now, the industry has to wait and see what happens in the indoors. But make no mistake: autonomous harvesting is coming, and when it does, it will change horticulture forever.

Advanced.Farm robots in strawberries, California, 2022

UVC Flashes: The only Alternative to Fungicides

UVC flashes are a promising technology aimed at replacing traditional fungicides in agricultural practices. They work by emitting intense bursts of ultraviolet light (UVC) that damage the DNA of fungal spores or stimulate the plant to better resist to fungus, preventing them from growing and spreading. This method provides a chemical-free alternative for controlling plant diseases, making it an attractive option for farmers seeking more sustainable solutions.

Where Do We Stand Now?

UVC flashes are currently one of the few effective solutions available to replace fungicides. While the technology shows great promise, it is still in its early stages compared to more traditional methods. The cost of implementing UVC flash systems remains high, and the number of passes needed for efficacy can be a limiting factor. Several companies are exploring this space, including Saga robotics, Agrikola.AI in Europe, Tric Robotics in California. Additionally, Kubota Europe has recently invested in UV Boosting technology, further validating the potential of UVC treatments in agriculture. Despite the early-stage nature of the technology, the increasing interest from major agricultural players indicates the growing recognition of UVC flashes as a viable alternative to chemical fungicides.

Saga robotics system

Advantages

  • A Path to Organic and Chemical-Free Farming - This innovation could make organic production viable for crops like tomatoes, which remain heavily dependent on fungicides due to the lack of effective alternatives.

  • Higher Yields & Disease Reduction: Studies have shown that UVC flashes can increase yields by up to 10% while reducing mildew and downy mildew infections by 30%. Link to a French study (5 years feedback)

  • Sustainability: The technology supports the growing demand for sustainable and clean products, which can help growers tap into eco-conscious markets.

  • Potential Cost Savings: In some crops, fungicides represent a significant portion of production costs. For example, in vineyards, potatoes, and tomatoes, fungicide expenses can account for 10% to 25% of total production costs.

    Limitations

  • Integration Challenges: Many farms apply fungicides preventively as part of their routine operations. Switching to UVC requires a major shift in disease management strategies

  • Operational Constraints: UVC flashes are most effective at night, requiring more frequent treatments (3 minium for vineyards) which increases labor needs—making it less practical for farms already facing workforce shortages

  • Subtle & Inconsistent Results: Unlike chemical treatments, the impact of UVC is not always visible to the naked eye. While it naturally slows mildew and downy mildew progression, it does not eliminate them completely yet

  • Cost & ROI Uncertainty: The effectiveness of UVC varies significantly depending on fungal pressure, making it difficult to justify the investment year after year. The combination of high initial costs

  • High Energy Consumption: it requires significant energy input to generate high-intensity flashes, which can lead to high electricity costs and limit their feasibility for large-scale field applications without an efficient energy source (diesel)

  • Competition from Resistant Varieties: The rise of disease-resistant crop varieties is reducing the need for fungicide applications. Some of these varieties already allow growers to cut treatment frequency by a factor of three, making UVC solutions less essential in certain cases

    What Is the Full Potential, and for When?

Currently, only a handful of farmers truly recognize the potential of UVC technology, and its high costs make it unprofitable for large-scale field crops. However, I am convinced that its growth will be driven by Europe, where environmental awareness and societal pressure for pesticide-free food are strongest. Over the next five years, UVC solutions will become well-established in greenhouses, where controlled environments and high-value crops justify the investment. By 2035, as costs decrease and automation removes labor constraints, UVC technology will become a common tool for high-value crops like vineyards, berries and orchards. In 10-15 years, we could see a major breakthrough in large-scale vegetable production or cereals, with UVC, mounted on reliable autonomous vehicles, widely used mainly in crops such as potatoes and tomatoes, where disease pressure is high and fungicide use represents up to 25% of production costs. And why not go for the 5-10% fungicide cost in cereal crops at the same time. If energy efficiency improves, reliable autonomous system pop-up, or quality labels integrate UV-C into their standards, this solution could trigger a major shift toward sustainable disease control in agriculture.Herbicide done, Fungicide done, only the insects left to deal with :D

Credit : UV Boosting system

Artificial intelligence

Where do we stand now?

Agriculture is still a sector where digitalization has struggled to gain significant traction. Despite the rapid advances in technology, many farmers are still relying on traditional methods, with paper-based records and human judgment playing a key role in decision-making. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making headlines in various industries, it has yet to truly permeate farming on a wide scale. Most farmers are still in the early stages of digital adoption, and many are not yet aware of the practical applications or benefits of AI. The technology being tested today often focuses on data analysis and predictive tools, crop detections … but widespread implementation is still some years away.

Advantages

  • Improved decision-making - Data from sensors, drones, and satellite imagery, helps farmers make better decisions regarding irrigation, crop management, and harvest schedules

  • Efficiency - Can optimize farm processes, reducing waste, improving productivity, and helping farmers save time and resources

  • Disease and pest prediction - Develop predictive models to identify potential disease outbreaks and pest infestations earlier, enabling farmers to act swiftly and prevent crop damage

  • Automation - Assist in automating repetitive tasks, allowing farmers to focus on higher-value activities and reduce the need for manual labor

  • Independent advisory role - Act as an external consultant, offering knowledge support and an independent perspective to farmers, helping them make well-informed decisions without relying solely on external advice.

Limitations

  • High initial costs - Implementing AI solutions, including data management tools or automation systems, requires significant investment, in therms of time, energy and economics, which can be a barrier for many farmers.

  • Lack of infrastructure and data - Many farms do not have the high-quality data or the necessary digital infrastructure to effectively adopt AI technologies, to see the first relevant results, it is therefore necessary to wait several years for the data to be collected.

  • Limited awareness and understanding - Many farmers are still focused on traditional methods and are unaware of how AI can benefit their operations, that's already the problem with digitalization, even if they're a little forced by the ecosystem

  • Complexity and reliance on human judgment - Farming still heavily relies on human expertise and judgment, and this transition to a more automated system will take time

  • AI limitations in agronomy - it still lacks deep knowledge in certain areas of agronomy, particularly in sustainable agriculture and soil science. Human expertise is crucial, especially as we continue to explore innovative practices in sustainable farming. The field of sustainable agronomy is still in its infancy, and many nuanced, context-specific factors cannot yet be fully captured by AI models.

Full potential

AI is already integrated into some farming tools, such as weather sensors, drones and spraying systems, BUT these solutions still lack the reliability and RoI to be fully adopted by farmers. From my point of view, even though AI is evolving rapidly, it is not yet applicable or reliable enough for day-to-day farming operations. That said, I'm convinced that AI's impact on agriculture is already underway, and that the technology will continue to spread gradually. However, it seems to me that it will be another ten years or so before farms can be fully managed by AI. From an agronomic point of view, we've barely scratched the surface of understanding our agricultural ecosystems (without the chemistry), so I find it hard to imagine how AI could surpass human expertise in managing these complex biological processes. The true potential of AI in agriculture will reveal itself little by little, as reliable solutions are integrated into existing tools, but I think farmers will continue to rely on their human know-how for some time to come. 

AI generated picture “The French farm of the future” by Mistral AI

CONCLUSION

We are clearly in the middle of a revolution in the agricultural sector, which began 10 years ago. Some technologies are starting to mature, while others are just beginning. Whatever the case, agriculture, like the world around it, is moving forward at breakneck speed. Every day, new projects are born, bringing innovations that will shape the agriculture of tomorrow. But one thing is certain: only solutions that meet the challenges of the future and the real needs of farmers will have a chance of succeeding. What I have presented here is my own vision, and I admit, I could be wrong. Technology is evolving so fast, and the world of agriculture is changing so rapidly, that it's almost impossible to predict what's in store for us in five or ten years' time. What I do know is that the future, as always, will tell. But one thing is certain: the agriculture of the future is taking shape, and we, as players in this transformation, must prepare ourselves for this change.

Do you have an idea? A product that you would like to bring to the agricultural sector? Let shape the future of agriculture together !

Do you see any other disruptive technologies in agriculture ? Please share your vision with me, and join my social networks

 
Guillaumot Maxence
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