When you hear “robotics in agriculture”, you might imagine drones buzzing over golden wheat or self-driving tractors. But at GuardenAI, we took a different route – one that places a laser-equipped robot smack in the middle of a bona fide potato field.
From Lab to Field: Full-Season Evaluation
In late May, at the teaching farm of the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) in Szárítópuszta, we planted potatoes in a real-world setting. This was not a laboratory simulation — it was a full-season field trial.
The plot was divided into three parcels:• On the right we deployed our laser-based pest control system, targeting the notorious Colorado beetle.• The middle parcel followed a more conventional route: periodic treatments during the season using a pyrethroid-based spray.• And on the left parcel? We did nothing — no intervention, providing a true control.
Our Plant Protection Engineer, Tamás Babicz, led and supervised the entire experiment. Under his guidance, our system executed laser interventions twice a week, and every time we counted the potato bugs to monitor progress and performance. From planting to harvest (early October), we tracked the journey: potatoes in the ground by late May; hand-harvested by early October. Thanks to the diligent data collection, we’ve now begun processing detailed statistics and deriving insights.
What did we learn?
Without delving into the full dataset here, we can say this: our approach worked. This outcome represents more than just a successful test. It’s a proof of concept — a real-world validation that GuardenAI’s laser-based approach is not only environmentally friendly, but also truly effective. The results point toward a future in which farming isn’t simply about more chemicals or bigger machines — but about smarter, precise, and environmentally responsible tools.
At GuardenAI, we believe technology can empower farmers — not replace them. This field trial is proof that robotics and AI-driven systems can integrate into real farms today, delivering meaningful protection without reliance on high-volume sprays.
The First Potatoes Saved by GardenAI
For the GuardenAI team, this trial wasn’t just about testing equipment. It was about turning an idea into something that works — in soil, under sun, and against real pests.It’s the kind of progress that reminds us why we started: to make farming cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable for everyone.
Every laser pulse on that field represented a vision coming to life — a future where farmers can protect their crops without harming the environment and consumers’ health.