Sabanto Inc. and Verdant Robotics Announce Technical Integration of Autonomous Tractor Operation with SharpShooter Plant-Level Precision Application
Sabanto Inc., a leader in autonomous retrofit solutions for agricultural machinery, and Verdant Robotics™, developer of the SharpShooter™ precision application system, have successfully integrated their technologies for the first time. The combined system enables fully autonomous field work—from navigation to plant-level precision application—without requiring an operator in the cab.
Sabanto’s Autonomy System now communicates directly with Verdant’s SharpShooter via the CAN bus, allowing the implement and tractor to operate as a single, coordinated unit. The SharpShooter, equipped with Aim & Apply™ technology, identifies individual plants and weeds in real time, applying inputs only where needed. Meanwhile, the Sabanto-equipped tractor navigates the field automatically, adjusting speed and implement height based on live data fed from the SharpShooter—decisions that previously required a skilled operator.
Key Benefits for Growers
The integration delivers several practical advantages for agricultural producers:
Labor Reduction: Fully autonomous operation removes the need for a cab operator, helping address widespread labor shortages in agriculture.
Input Savings: By targeting individual plants and weeds rather than broadcasting across entire fields, the system dramatically reduces chemical and fertilizer use.
24/7 Productivity: Sabanto’s retrofit autonomy enables round-the-clock operation. SharpShooter’s lightweight design also allows earlier field entry and faster transportation, expanding operational windows without adding staff.
Proven Field Performance: The combined system is already operating in commercial settings, including sod production at Bethel Farms, where it has demonstrated reliability under demanding conditions.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
“Our goal has always been to make full autonomy accessible and immediately valuable for everyone in the ag industry—farmers, implement providers, retailers, input providers, and tractor manufacturers alike,” said Craig Rupp, Founder and CEO of Sabanto Inc. “By pairing our best-in-class retrofit autonomy system with Verdant’s groundbreaking SharpShooter technology, we’re giving producers yet another complete solution that works on their existing equipment. Farmers can run precision operations 24/7, addressing labor shortages head-on while dramatically cutting input costs.”
Gabe Sibley, Co-Founder and CEO of Verdant Robotics, added: “Growers invested in SharpShooter to reduce inputs, run operations their crews can’t always staff, and take back control of their application window. This integration means they can do all of that without an operator in the cab—more acres covered, fewer people required, and the same plant-level precision on every pass.”
Technical Details and Compatibility
The integration leverages Sabanto’s high-precision GNSS, cameras, advanced vehicle operating system, and proprietary path-planning software alongside Verdant’s SharpShooter system. The solution is compatible with a wide range of tractor makes and models, consistent with Sabanto’s retrofit philosophy of enabling farmers to upgrade existing equipment rather than purchase new machinery.
Industry Context
This collaboration arrives as growers face high interest rates, rising input costs, persistent labor challenges, and tightening application windows. The combined system offers a practical, scalable approach to addressing these pressures without requiring significant capital investment in entirely new equipment.
Interested growers and partners can contact Sabanto at sabantoag.com or Verdant Robotics at verdantrobotics.com.
The source for this article is https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/news/2026/06/30/sabanto-inc-and-verdant-robotics-announce-technical-integration-of-autonomous-tractor-operation-with-sharpshooter-plant-level-precision-application/26790/.