From the vegetable fields of Europe to farms in the United States, Canada, and Australia, Swiss agricultural innovation is now supporting farmers across multiple continents. Over the past five years, 1,000 ARA ultra-high precision sprayers developed by Ecorobotix have been deployed worldwide, helping farmers transition toward smarter and more sustainable crop protection.
Developed in Switzerland and now used by farms around the globe, ARA sprayers highlight the growing role of Swiss technology in modern agriculture. Reaching the milestone of 1,000 machines marks an important step for Ecorobotix, and for the thousands of farmers adopting precision spraying in their fields.
From a Swiss Idea to a Global Technology
More than a decade ago, Ecorobotix co-founders Aurélien Demaurex and Steve Tanner asked a simple but ambitious question: What if every weed could be treated individually instead of spraying an entire field? Their vision combined artificial intelligence, robotics, and agronomy to rethink how crop protection could be applied.
That idea led to the creation of Ecorobotix, which has since grown into an international ag-technology company with more than 250 employees and operations across Europe, North and South America, and additional global markets. The sale of 1,000 ARA sprayers demonstrates how this original concept has moved from research and development to widespread use in real farming conditions.
Precision Spraying That Transforms Crop Protection
Since its introduction, ARA has redefined field spraying through its ultra-precise 6 × 6 cm treatment footprint, allowing the system to target only the plants that need treatment. The result is a dramatic reduction in crop protection inputs, up to 95% less herbicide compared to conventional broadcast spraying.
For farmers, this precision technology delivers several key benefits:
- Significant savings on crop protection products
Reduced spray drift toward neighboring crops and ecosystems
Lower exposure risks for operators and wildlife
Improved resistance management through targeted application - Reduced spray drift toward neighboring crops and ecosystems
Lower exposure risks for operators and wildlife
Improved resistance management through targeted application - Lower exposure risks for operators and wildlife
- Improved resistance management through targeted application
Today, thousands of growers, particularly in high-value vegetable crops, are adopting precision spot spraying as a smarter approach to crop protection, with measurable benefits for soil health, water protection, and the long-term resilience of farming systems.
Swiss Roots, Global Impact
The milestone of 1,000 machines also reflects Ecorobotix’s rapid international expansion. Through regional offices and a growing global distributor network, the company provides local training, technical support, and algorithm development tailored to specific crops and regional farming conditions.
From a Swiss start-up to an international agtech company, the mission remains unchanged: to reduce the use of chemical inputs in agriculture through intelligent automation and Swiss precision.
