Mission - Blue River Technology

Our Mission.
Proven Impact.

We create intelligent machinery that solves monumental challenges for our customers. By combining advanced technology with real-world application, we deliver precision and value at scale.

We pair machine learning, computer vision, and robotics with deep domain expertise to tackle complex problems. Our teams work closely with customers, testing in the field and iterating quickly so solutions scale reliably, improve productivity, and reduce physical and environmental strain where it matters most. This mission guides how we build, partner, and measure success every day.

Our impact

We’re a team of engineers, scientists, and builders applying intelligent technology to solve big, real-world problems for our customers in some of the most challenging conditions for complex machinery.

01

We empower our customers to implement more sustainable solutions, such as optimizing chemical use, reimagining routine processes, and improving yields year after year.

02

We aren’t just working on technology; we are making a positive impact through technology. Through innovating and optimizing solutions for our customers, we’re creating a space where environment and economic sustainability intersect.

03

We battle herbicide resistance and optimize the overall use of chemicals. Our See & Spray™ technology opens the possibility of managing crops at the plant-by-plant level. Whether a teammate’s focus is pixel-by-pixel or plant-by-plant, we believe that focusing on the small stuff leads to big gains.

04

We also believe farmers should get to keep their hard-earned money. From optimizing the amount of chemicals they need to purchase to automating time-intensive tasks to capturing better data on their crop yields and efficiencies, we are relentless about making a difference for our customers.

05

Our work helps farmers use fewer inputs and make smarter decisions. We design and deploy intelligent systems that operate at scale in real-world environments. The result is practical technology that drives precision, sustainability, and measurable impact in the field.

06

Our machines make plant-level decisions in milliseconds. This helps growers reduce inputs, improve yields, and care for the land. Using advanced computer vision, machine learning, and robotics, our systems see, learn, and act in real time. This enables precise, targeted action at scale.

07

Backed by John Deere, built like a startup. We operate with autonomy, urgency, and a clear mission. By leveraging John Deere’s scale and strengths, our innovations reach more farms, create lasting customer and environmental impact, and are delivered through a brand customers trust.

methodology

Agriculture is a global frontier for robotics innovation.

Creating Robotics for Agriculture

Like our See & Spray™ technology, we are applying computer vision, machine learning, robotics, and product development to an industry that no one has ever done before. Your contributions can revolutionize our world from the ground up, literally.

Bringing Products to Market

Our team not only builds intelligent machinery but also sees it through to market and into the fields. We have a widespread distribution network ready for our technology and get to see it make a tangible difference in the real world.

Getting Our Boots Dirty

We’re not confined to a lab; the farm and field are our office. We see our machinery in real-world use tests and iterate quickly. By working hands-on at every step, we stay close to our customers and continuously refine solutions for maximum impact and efficiency.

CORE COMPETENCIES

We create intelligent tech that makes a tangible difference, improving farming yields while minimizing impact on the planet.

Our computer vision systems identify every plant in real time, even under harsh field conditions. We build models that accurately distinguish crops from weeds as environments change moment to moment. Our machine learning operates reliably in real-world agricultural settings. We were the first to commercially deploy CV and ML for precision lettuce thinning. Since then, we’ve expanded into weed detection, object recognition, and machinery control. Our goal is to make farming more productive, precise, and sustainable for the future.

We integrate hardware, sensors, and control systems to build machines that see and act. Our robotics systems respond in real time on rugged terrain, not just in the lab. Rapid prototyping and field testing help our teams move fast and iterate quickly. Engineers across mechanical, electrical, controls, and software work side by side. Our nimble culture keeps engineers close to farmers and real-world challenges. Together, deep learning and computer vision power an intelligent virtual field scout.

From the start, we’ve built software with speed, iteration, and durability in mind. Our teams deploy code directly to machines and refine it through fast feedback loops. Software, AI, and hardware are tightly integrated across our systems. We manage everything from real-time perception to precise control logic. Engineering teams work across multiple layers of the tech stack. This approach helps us build reliable machines for agriculture’s toughest challenges.

Our customers are at the core of everything we create. We don’t try to make assumptions or decisions from afar. We spend time in the field with our customers to understand exactly what they need and how to translate that into a solution. We listen to every detail, every pain point, every concern, and use that as fuel to create ever-evolving intelligent machinery for them.

our history

The Blue River Technology story

01

A vision for better farming

In 2011, Stanford graduate students Jorge, former head of precision agriculture at Trimble, and Lee, a PhD roboticist, met in Steve Blank’s Lean LaunchPad course. United by a vision to make farming more sustainable, they tested robotics and computer vision in California’s Central Valley. With early support and an NSF grant, Blue River Technology was born.

02

The first smart machine

Meet the Lettuce Bot. The lettuce bot was our first intelligent machine, designed to automate lettuce thinning. Using computer vision and real-time decisioning, it captured images, classified plants, executed precise spray actuation, and continuously verified system accuracy and performance in live field conditions.

03

See & Spray™ Technology

See & Spray™ is the next generation of Blue River Technology. See & Spray revolutionized crop care by developing first-of-its-kind precision spraying. Using computer vision and deep learning, these machines identify crops and weeds with greater accuracy and make real-time crop management decisions. Custom nozzle designs enable plant-by-plant spray control, while powerful software delivers faster, more precise weed control across major U.S. crops.

04

Joining the John Deere family

While operating as an independently run subsidiary, Blue River Technology gains access to the scale, expertise, and support of one of the world’s leaders in precision agriculture, earthmoving, and forestry. This balance allows us to move quickly, innovate boldly, and deliver proven technology to customers around the globe.

05

Expanding into the future

Continuing to develop exciting new technologies. Crop protection is just the beginning. With support from John Deere, Blue River Technology is expanding into new applications of CVML, robotics, and intelligent systems; building scalable solutions that support growers, improve efficiency, and advance precision agriculture, forestry, construction, and turf.

Careers

Innovation that
doesn’t stop here

We don’t build in isolation. We work side by side with customers to understand the day-to-day reality of their fieldwork. Every product, feature, and innovation is informed by real-world testing, continuous feedback, and the belief that better tools lead to better outcomes. Be a part of our exciting journey ahead!

Join us