John Deere strengthens agrobotics portfolio with GUSS acquisition

John Deere has acquired GUSS Automation, a California-based developer of autonomous crop sprayers, to strengthen its portfolio in agricultural robotics, particularly for high-value crops like orchards and vineyards. The acquisition follows a 2022 joint venture and allows John Deere to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint in a key crop production region. GUSS will retain its brand, employees, and manufacturing facility, continuing to produce autonomous sprayers that can be remotely supervised, with a single operator managing up to eight machines. These sprayers use GPS, lidar, and proprietary software to enhance precision, reduce labor costs, and minimize material waste. To date, over 250 GUSS machines have been deployed globally, covering 2.6 million acres and 500,000 autonomous hours. John Deere plans to support GUSS in expanding its global reach and accelerating innovation, including integrating GUSS technology with John Deere’s precision agriculture tools like Smart Apply and using John Deere Power Systems engines starting in 2024. This acquisition is