Turning Orchards into Smart Farms—One Sensor at a Time
What do you get when you cross steep hills, unpredictable weather, and a shortage of skilled tractor drivers? A perfect case for robotics. In today’s agricultural world, growers are facing more challenges than ever—and they’re turning to automation to solve them.
Enter Agricobots, a bold startup blending robotics and sustainable farming, and SICK, a global leader in sensor intelligence. Together, they’ve built Atomatika, a rugged, vision-powered robot designed to take on the toughest orchard terrain with precision, safety, and adaptability.
Together, they’ve developed Atomatika, a rugged, multi-tool tracked robot designed to handle steep slopes, tight rows, and unpredictable terrain—all while keeping operators safe and operations efficient.
The Challenge: Tough Terrain, Limited Labor, and High Stakes
Orchards and vineyards aren’t just beautiful—they’re complex, labor-intensive, and often dangerous. Skilled tractor drivers are increasingly hard to find, and working on uneven ground or in enclosed spaces with agrochemicals poses serious health risks.
“We needed a robot that could do more than just drive—it had to navigate autonomously, adapt to changing conditions, and operate safely in places where humans face real risks,” said Roberto Guida, Robotic Systems Engineer at Agricobots.
The Solution: Atomatika + SICK Sensors = Smarter Farming
Agricobots teamed up with SICK to integrate cutting-edge LiDAR and 3D stereo vision into Atomatika. The result? A machine that sees, thinks, and reacts in real time.
SICK’s multiScan LiDAR builds a 3D map of the environment, enabling precise navigation and obstacle detection—even in tight orchard rows.
The Visionary-B Two stereo camera adds depth perception, live video streaming, and enhanced mapping capabilities, boosting safety and operational awareness.
Atomatika isn’t just smart—it’s versatile. It can spray crops with up to 1,000 liters of treatment to fight fungal diseases. In addition, it cultivates soil with shredders and milling tools and performs inter-row mowing to manage weeds between trees or vines. And thanks to its modular design, it’s ready for whatever comes next.
Built for Today, Ready for Tomorrow
Agricobots designed Atomatika with future upgrades in mind. “We oversized the hardware so it can evolve with the industry,” Guida said.
That means farmers won’t be stuck with outdated tech—they’ll be ready to scale and adapt as needs change.
Affordability was also key. By choosing SICK’s high-performance yet cost-effective sensors, Agricobots kept prices competitive without compromising on quality.
Why SICK? A Partner That Delivers More Than Just Sensors
For Agricobots, SICK wasn’t just a supplier—it was a strategic partner. From early development to market launch, SICK provided local support, technical expertise, and reliable hardware that helped turn vision into reality.
“SICK helped us move fast without cutting corners. Their sensors gave us the precision we needed, and their team helped us solve real-world challenges,” Guida said.
Looking Ahead: Scaling Innovation Across the Farm
Agricobots plans to expand its use of SICK sensors across its product line, unlocking new possibilities in autonomous farming. With SICK’s continued innovation and proven reliability, the partnership is poised to drive the next generation of agricultural robotics—making farming safer, smarter, and more sustainable.
