John Deere buys GUSS for AI sprayers that cut chemicals 90%

John Deere has completed its full acquisition of GUSS, the company behind autonomous electric orchard sprayers that use AI-powered weed detection technology. The deal formalizes a joint venture partnership that has been developing for years and positions Deere to capitalize on growing demand for agricultural automation driven by labor shortages and rising operational costs.

What you should know: GUSS specializes in fully autonomous electric sprayers designed specifically for orchards and vineyards, addressing critical challenges in high-value crop production.

• The GUSS electric sprayer operates for 10-12 continuous hours on a single overnight charge using a 63 kWh Kreisel Battery Pack.
• Its Smart Apply weed detection system uses chlorophyll measurement to identify weeds among crops, spraying only where necessary and reducing chemical usage by up to 90%.
• More than 250 GUSS machines have been deployed globally, covering over 2.6 million acres across 500,000 autonomous operating hours.

Why this matters: The acquisition comes as agriculture faces a perfect storm of challenges that autonomous technology can help address.

• Labor shortages in agriculture have worsened due to immigration policies, creating urgent need for automation solutions.
• Rising input costs and demand for affordable food production are driving farmers toward more efficient technologies.
• The integration gives John Deere immediate access to proven autonomous technology in the fast-growing specialty crop segment.

How the technology works: GUSS sprayers combine autonomous navigation with precision chemical application to maximize efficiency.

• The Smart Apply system measures chlorophyll levels in plants to distinguish between crops and weeds embedded among them.
• Only areas with detected weeds receive herbicide treatment, significantly reducing chemical usage and environmental impact.
• The electric powertrain eliminates fuel costs and emissions while providing consistent performance throughout long operating cycles.

In plain English: Think of it like a smart robot that can tell the difference between the plants farmers want to keep and the weeds they want to eliminate. Instead of spraying chemicals everywhere, it only targets the bad weeds, much like a precision sniper rather than carpet bombing.

What they’re saying: Leaders from both companies emphasized the strategic value of combining their capabilities.

• “Fully integrating GUSS into the John Deere portfolio is a continuation of our dedication to serving high-value crop customers with advanced, scalable technologies to help them do more with less,” explained Julien Le Vely, director of Production Systems at John Deere.
• “Joining John Deere enables us to tap into their unmatched innovative capabilities in precision agriculture technologies to bring our solutions to more growers around the world,” says Gary Thompson, GUSS’ COO.

The business structure: GUSS will maintain its operational independence while gaining access to Deere’s global distribution network.

• GUSS-brand autonomous sprayers will be sold and serviced exclusively through John Deere dealers worldwide.
• The GUSS business will retain its name, branding, employees, and independent manufacturing facility in Kingsburg, California.
• John Deere’s financial resources will support GUSS’s global expansion and accelerate Smart Apply technology development.