AgTech360

Kioti is redefining smart farming with a new generation of compact, autonomous technologies built to meet the needs of smaller farms. Chief Product and Technology Officer YJ Son discusses how the company’s innovations—from transport robots for orchard operations to AI-driven equipment—are boosting productivity and addressing critical labor challenges. Learn how Kioti is making advanced automation accessible to a wider range of growers and helping small farms thrive.

Dr. Frank Bai shares his global journey into precision and digital agriculture and highlights how sensors, drones, and AI-driven tools are shaping the future of farming. As an Assistant Professor at NC State, he bridges engineering and agriculture to tackle challenges in the field. In this episode, he discusses his autonomous scouting project at the Sandhills Research Station, innovative methods for screening drought tolerance in soybeans, and the growing role of digital technologies in making farming more efficient, sustainable, and affordable. The conversation also explores the importance of collaboration, technology adoption, and equipping the next generation of farmers for an increasingly automated, data-driven future.

Aaron Wells, Director of Engineering & Autonomy at Blue River Technology, a John Deere company, discusses the evolution of agricultural machinery—from traditional horsepower to advanced hardware and artificial intelligence. He explains how John Deere’s next-generation perception system, known as the “eyes and brain” of autonomous tractors, is transforming modern farming. This episode explores how AI, machine vision, and retrofit kits are making autonomy in agriculture possible, the engineering challenges of scaling autonomous tractors, and the future of precision ag technology for large-scale farming.

Tom Williams, Director of Microbiology at BioConsortia, discusses how beneficial microbes are driving more sustainable agriculture by boosting nutrient availability, soil health, and crop performance. He shares how BioConsortia’s advanced microbial discovery platform and gene editing technologies are unlocking new opportunities for plant health and yield. The conversation also explores regulatory frameworks, grower adoption, and the exciting future of biological solutions in agriculture.

Newly appointed Director of NC State’s Genome Editing Center (GEC), Tim Kelliher, shares his unique path from organic farming to the forefront of plant science. He explains how advances in genome editing offer a faster, more precise alternative to traditional breeding—delivering vital solutions for farmers in as little as 5–8 years. Get an inside look at the GEC and how genome editing is shaping the future of agriculture.