John Deere Acquires GUSS Automation: A Major Step Toward Autonomous Farming

In a move that’s turning heads across the agricultural industry, John Deere has officially acquired GUSS Automation, the California-based pioneer of autonomous sprayers. The deal marks a major step forward for ag robotics, signaling John Deere’s commitment to reshaping the future of farming through automation and precision technology.

What This Acquisition Means

John Deere made the announcement in late August, confirming that GUSS — known for its innovative self-driving orchard and vineyard sprayers — is now part of John Deere’s growing ag-tech portfolio. According to John Deere, the acquisition is about more than just adding new machines; it’s about expanding how robotics and automation can tackle labor shortages, reduce costs, and improve safety for growers.

“This investment helps John Deere unlock value for our customers,” said Aaron Wetzel, Vice President of Small Ag and Turf Production Systems at John Deere, in the official press release. “We are excited to welcome the GUSS team and bring their innovative solutions to more growers around the world.”

The GUSS Advantage

GUSS Automation, founded in Kingsburg, California, has been at the forefront of developing autonomous solutions for specialty crops like almonds, pistachios, and grapes. Their driverless sprayers are designed to handle the repetitive, labor-intensive task of spraying with unmatched precision and efficiency.

“Joining John Deere gives us an opportunity to accelerate our mission of helping growers do more with less,” said Gary Thompson, COO of GUSS Automation, in an interview covered by The Robot Report. “This partnership will allow us to expand our reach, innovate faster, and continue delivering reliable solutions to the industry.”

Robots in the Field

This acquisition represents more than just business growth — it’s a glimpse into what’s coming for California agriculture and beyond. With labor shortages and rising input costs pressing down on farmers, autonomous machines are no longer futuristic concepts; they’re real solutions entering the field today.

In fact, John Deere and GUSS showcased the sprayers in action earlier this year. You can watch their system in motion here:

What It Means for Growers

For growers across California and around the world, this move raises a big question: are you ready for a future where robots do the heavy lifting in your orchard or vineyard? The impact could be transformative — streamlining fieldwork, cutting labor costs, and opening the door to new efficiencies that weren’t possible before.

The future of ag robotics is no longer on the horizon — it’s here!