Blue River Technology
Blue River Technology, founded in 2011 by Stanford graduates, specializes in sustainable agricultural robotics, notably its See & Spray™ technology, which uses advanced machine learning for precise weed control. Acquired by John Deere in 2017, it operates as an independent subsidiary.
Company Founders
Blue River Technology was founded in 2011 by Jorge and Lee, two Stanford graduate students. Their vision was to make farming more sustainable by integrating robotics and computer vision into agricultural processes. Leveraging their academic backgrounds, they aimed to transform traditional farming methods and enhance efficiency through modern technology.
Flagship Products
Blue River Technology developed its first smart machine, the Lettuce Bot, to automate the lettuce thinning process. The company's See & Spray™ technology leverages deep learning to enable machines to identify various plants and weeds with high accuracy. This technology is capable of detecting a variety of crops and weeds, providing weed control throughout the growing season. It was showcased at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and is targeted to be available to all growers by 2021.
Acquisition by John Deere
In September 2017, Blue River Technology was acquired by John Deere. Despite the acquisition, Blue River continues to operate as an independently-run subsidiary, carrying forward its mission and technological advancements in agriculture. This partnership aims to integrate Blue River's innovative technologies into John Deere's extensive agricultural machinery portfolio.
Technological Innovations
Blue River Technology is known for its core competencies in computer vision and machine learning, full stack software development, robotics, and product management. The company's primary innovation, See & Spray™ technology, employs deep learning to differentiate between crops and weeds accurately, optimizing chemical usage and improving farming yields. The technology has received several awards and notable recognitions, including The Artificial Intelligence 100 by CB Insights in 2017 and Most Innovative Robotics Companies by Fast Company in 2017.
Sustainability Commitment
Blue River Technology is committed to impacting global sustainability by optimizing chemical usage and improving farming yields. The company's efforts in developing advanced agricultural technologies aim to make farming more efficient and environmentally friendly. By reducing the dependency on chemical inputs and enhancing yield, Blue River aims to contribute positively to the global food production system.