Welcome to the Challenge

This competition was born out of a desire to inspire students to pursue careers in agriculture and to help growers solve on-farm challenges using AI, automation and robotics.

This is not just a competition; it's a movement aimed at revolutionizing the future of farming. Whether you're a student, professor, university administrator, business, or an individual passionate about agriculture and technology, there's a place for you here. Watch the video below and find out more about our “why” and listen to first-hand experiences from our participants.

Prizes & Awards

  • The Farm Robotics Challenge isn't just about innovation and learning; it's also about rewarding your hard work and creativity. We have an array of prizes designed to recognize excellence in various aspects of the competition. The 2025 competition will award over $50,000 in prizes to our participants.

  • $20,000 awarded to the team that builds the most innovative and commercially viable project using the Farm-ng Amiga robot. Sponsored by Farm-ng and Western Growers.

  • The top prize in the AIR category. This award will go to the team that produces the most productive and innovative project using a drone.

  • Awarded to the team that excels in creating a design that has a clear impact on environmental sustainability.

  • Awarded to the team that best meets the needs of the small holder farmer.

  • (2) Awards chosen by our judging panel that best meet the spirit of the competition in delivering creative and innovative solutions to pressing problems in agriculture.

  • Our aim is to build a community of innovators and that is why a selection of teams will be invited to attend and present their projects at FIRA-USA (October 2025). FIRA (International Forum for Robotics and Automation) is North America’s leading ag tech conference. Travel stipends will be awarded to encourage conference participation and networking.

  • Plug and Play is offering the winners of the Innovation Award and the Productivity Award the opportunity to pitch on stage at their Tech Center Summit event in June. Events are located in Topeka, Kansas or Sunnyvale, California.