Nick Genty, CEO and co-founder of U.S.-based AGEYE Technologies, which develops AI-integrated automation systems for vertical farms, shares what it really means to build a fully automated indoor farm, and why flashy tech alone doesn't cut it.
"AGEYE defines a fully automated indoor facility by minimizing the manual labor typically required in indoor farming," says Genty. "This includes using robotics to automate everything from seeding to harvesting, as well as non-growing tasks like tray cleaning, tray stacking, and material movement."
© AGEYE
Automation that fits the farm
Genty emphasizes that successful automation has to be built for the realities of farming, not just engineering. "We believe there's a right way and a wrong way to approach automation. It's easy to get caught up in flashy tech, but at the end of the day, this is a farm, not a high-tech manufacturing line. The technology has to align with the farm's unit economics, whether that's per plant, tray, or harvest, and deliver measurable value through labor savings or yield gains."
"Some of the farms that have failed made the mistake of investing in automation that was too expensive or over-engineered. That made it hard to see a clear ROI or reach profitability." In contrast, AGEYE's system is designed with affordability and practicality in mind. "Our system is priced to be accessible for indoor growers of all sizes. It uses proven industrial automation technology that's been used in warehouses for the past 20 years. It's reliable, cost-effective, and easy to install."
© AGEYE
Nick Genty (right), CEO, with Bashir Jabbour (left), Senior Director of Product and Implementation
One system, one vendor
AGEYE's 2023 acquisition of the HYVE brand allowed the company to consolidate the full farming stack, from racking and lighting to fertigation and packaging. "Integrating HYVE allowed us to take control of the full environment, all within a single system, fully closing the loop between sensing and action," says Genty.
"The biggest advantage is that everything now comes from a single vendor. Growers no longer have to bolt together hardware, software, and automation from different sources. It's easier to install, simpler to operate, and more reliable."
Real-time crop intelligence: What ARIS brings to the rack
One of the most unique components of AGEYE's automation stack is its Autonomous Robotic Imaging System (ARIS), an AI-powered crop imaging platform built specifically for the layer-dense environment of vertical farms. "ARIS is the only commercially deployed AI imaging solution designed for the tight spacing of vertical farms," says Genty. "It's integrated into our HYVE system but works with racks of any size or configuration."
Unlike traditional scouting methods that rely on manual checks and occasional sampling, ARIS provides non-stop, real-time plant imaging across every grow layer. Using a combination of RGB, LiDAR, and thermal imaging, it monitors plant development, tracks biomass, detects stress signals, and flags early signs of disease or deficiency, without human input.
"It's not just about spotting a bad leaf," Genty explains. "It's about building a full picture of the crop's health, growth trajectory, and response to environmental variables, at scale." Insights captured by ARIS feed directly into AGEYE's in-house AI platform, which processes tens of millions of data points to optimize crop performance and resource use.
"Speed and accuracy are up over 150 percent compared to traditional scouting," he adds. "And in many cases, a handful of operators can manage a commercial facility with high precision. That's what ARIS enables."
Digital twins and per-plant optimization
Looking ahead, AGEYE is deepening the integration between its physical automation systems and digital twin platform. "That means tighter feedback loops, more predictive control, and fewer manual interventions," says Genty.
R&D efforts are also expanding into new crop types, including livestock fodder, flowers, and fruiting crops. "Another key focus is optimizing lighting, water, and nutrients on a per-plant basis," Genty adds. "Our goal is to make precision cultivation scalable, not just technically possible."
A closer look at automation in motion
AGEYE has published a companion set of videos showing its robotics in action, from automated seeding to harvest and tray logistics.
See the visual companion article here.
For more information:
AGEYE
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Nick Genty, CEO
info@ageyetech.com
www.ageyetech.com