How TRIC Robotics is reducing pesticide use on strawberries using UV light

Strawberries, a beloved fruit in the U.S. and a staple for farmers, are unfortunately among the most pesticide-reliant crops, frequently appearing on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list of contaminated produce. This reliance on chemical sprays poses significant environmental and health concerns.

However, a promising solution is emerging from San Luis Obispo, California-based TRIC Robotics. This innovative startup is leveraging the power of UV light and advanced robotics to revolutionize strawberry cultivation, aiming to drastically reduce the need for traditional chemical pesticides.

TRIC Robotics has developed a fleet of tractor-sized autonomous robots engineered to combat pests and diseases without chemicals. These sophisticated machines utilize UV-C light, a potent form of ultraviolet light largely filtered by Earth’s atmosphere, to effectively eliminate harmful bacteria and disrupt pest populations. Beyond UV treatment, the robots are also equipped with specialized vacuums designed to meticulously remove bug residue, ensuring crop health without causing damage.

Instead of selling their advanced robots directly to farmers, TRIC Robotics operates on a service-based model. Their autonomous units work silently through the night, treating up to 100 acres. This approach, as co-founder and CEO Adam Stager explained to TechCrunch, was developed in close consultation with farmers to ensure rapid adoption and provide a seamless replacement for existing pest control services.

“We worked a lot with the farmers to understand the right way to launch the technology and what was the right business model,” Stager stated. “We found out that a lot of the farmers pay for pest disease control as a service, so they have a company come in and do the sprays. And what we’ve been doing is just replacing that as a service model.”

TRIC Robotics’ journey into agriculture wasn’t always the clear path. Founded by Stager in 2017 following his PhD in robotics, the company initially focused on 3D-printed robots for SWAT teams. A pivotal shift occurred in 2020 when Stager sought a venture with greater societal impact.

Driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully, Stager decided to pivot into agriculture. “I really just wanted to answer the question, if you were to die tomorrow, would you be happy with what you accomplished in your life?” he shared. “I kind of stumbled into agriculture on that journey, [and realized] that’s a place where we can impact so many people, just about everybody.” This quest led him to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), where he discovered the UV light technology that would become the foundation of TRIC’s agricultural robots.

The initial deployment in 2021 was a testament to their dedication. Stager and co-founder Vishnu Somasundaram embarked on an eight-month cross-country journey, deploying their first two garage-built robots on small plots provided by USDA-connected farmers. This hands-on approach yielded invaluable data and validated their technology.

Today, with Ryan Berard joining as the third co-founder, TRIC Robotics has scaled significantly. The company currently partners with four major strawberry producers, has nine robots actively deployed, and an additional three robots on the way, marking a rapid expansion of their operations.

TRIC Robotics recently secured a substantial $5.5 million seed round. This funding was led by Version One Ventures, with notable participation from Garage Capital, Todd and Rahul Capital, and Lucas Venture Group, alongside several individual angel investors. The capital infusion will primarily fuel the expansion of their autonomous robot fleet. Looking ahead, TRIC Robotics aims to extend its innovative UV light treatment to a wider variety of crops, further broadening its positive impact on sustainable agriculture.

Stager expressed optimism for the future of agriculture technology: “I just think people should know that things are really headed in a great direction, and there’s really a lot of exciting things to come.”