Tech event features a robot parade, drone pavilion

From weed control to fertilizer application, harvesting, picking and seeding, FIRA USA is showcasing more than two dozen ag robots with field demonstrations.

Over the three-day event, Sept. 19-21, in Salinas, California, robots will be featured in fields, orchards and vineyards. An addition to FIRA USA, which debuted in Fresno, California, in 2022, is the drone pavilion.

The centrally located pavilion will provide a “concentrated presence for drone companies to showcase products and services,” according to a news release. The pavilion will be managed by the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation and Robotics Technology (DART) Initiative and Monterey County.

Companies have until July 3 to be included in the robot demonstrations and drone pavilion.

Until July 5, FIRA USA organizers are offering a $100 reduction for a three-day pass at the event, or $50 off of a single-day pass.

FIRA USA also includes panel discussions, educational sessions and pitch sessions featuring robotics company representatives.

An opening night “After School Family Night” at the Salinas Sports Complex will include a robot parade and interviews with startups and growers.

“For three hours in the stadium, a rodeo-style announcer will interview startups and growers that use their products for the good, the bad, and the ugly of agtech adoption,” according to a news release. “Why don’t field trials always go well, why does it take growers so long to buy, and what does a good customer integration look like will all be prominent topics.”

Audience members will also hear from some of the schools that are training the next generation of agtech workers and some of the researchers that are putting the future tech products together in labs.