World FIRA 2025, billed as the Global Event for Agricultural Robots in Action, lived up to its reputation by showcasing the remarkable potential of AI-based AgTech. The demonstrations were nothing short of breathtaking, offering a glimpse into the future of agriculture. Yet, there was a common sentiment throughout the event: while we’re witnessing the possibilities of AI in farming, much of it remains far from practical for widespread use. High costs, relatively low productivity, and the complexity of integrating AI into agriculture were recurring challenges voiced by many.
As the sole semiconductor company at the event, Untether AI’s presence sparked curiosity. Attendees were keen to understand why a semiconductor company was showcasing at a predominantly robotics-focused event—and more importantly, what an edge-optimized AI inference accelerator even was. AI acceleration in AgTech is a deep, complex subject, but the key takeaway is clear: much of the technology behind agricultural robotics today still relies on GPUs—25-year-old technology designed for video games, not agriculture. The ramifications of this are high costs, lower performance, and greater power consumption compared to specialized AI solutions designed specifically for AgTech robotics.
Our booth and presentation on February 5th, titled “Accelerating AI Acceleration in AgTech”, aimed to showcase the benefits of moving beyond GPUs. Through a direct comparison, we highlighted the impressive advantages of using Untether AI’s speedAI edge-optimized accelerators in a laser robotic weeder. Here’s what we found:
- Device Savings: 24X lower cost
- Cost Savings: 18X more affordable
- Power Savings: 10X more energy-efficient
Not only do these savings lead to a reduction in operating costs, but they also drive higher productivity, enhanced reliability, and better serviceability—tackling many of the core challenges facing the current generation of AI-driven AgTech solutions.
To that end, we announced the formation of the AgBox Working Group, aimed at creating a highly flexible pre-engineered solution that can be easily adapted across a wide range of AgTech robotics applications. This initiative is designed to reduce both cost and engineering effort, accelerating the adoption of optimized AI in AgTech. We hope that through collaboration with industry leaders, we can help democratize access to the power of AI acceleration and overcome the reluctance towards new technologies.
While there’s still work to be done, World FIRA 2025 provided a crucial platform for discussing the future of AI in agriculture. Untether AI is committed to leading the way in edge-optimized solutions that drive cost-effective, high-performance AI in AgTech.
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To dive deeper into the AgBox Working Group and explore how we’re working to reshape the future of AgTech click here to watch.