Autonomous and smart machines take center stage at Agritechnica 2025
At Agritechnica, from 9 to 15 November in Hanover, it’s all about autonomy this year. The world’s largest agricultural trade fair is putting autonomous field robots, AI and digital farm networks firmly in the spotlight.
Robots are here to stay
Autonomous machines like seeding bots, weeding robots, and self-driving harvesters are no longer just prototypes. According to show organizer DLG, this year will showcase many systems ready for real-world use. “Farmers will soon be able to run robots day and night, opening up automation even to smaller operations,” the organization predicts. But there are still hurdles. Regulations, liability, and machine certifications all need more work before autonomy can really take off.
Smarter work with sensors and AI
The latest robots combine cameras, lidar, and GPS with artificial intelligence. This lets them navigate between rows, identify weeds, and carry out spraying or harvesting tasks on their own. Virtual fencing and object recognition systems are designed to prevent accidents. Safety is a major theme at the fair—after all, nobody wants a robot missing a child or a deer in the field, for obvious reasons.
Farmers remain firmly in control
Autonomy does not mean sidelining the farmer. On the contrary, it is still the farmer who decides when and how to plant, spray or harvest. That is why Agritechnica is hosting many knowledge sessions and live demos on precision farming and robotics. They’re also looking at how this tech will impact farm labour and management.
What does it cost?
The fair is placing a strong focus on business models. Should you buy a machine outright, lease it, or pay for a robot-as-a-service, charged by the hour? Manufacturers see big potential in these new pay-per-use options, making the technology more accessible even for medium-sized farms. Because ultimately, it is not just about high-tech—it has to pay off on the bottom line.
