Ag-tech startup Bonsai Robotics has raised $15 million in Series A funding, led by Bison Ventures and joined by Acre Venture Partners, Congruent Ventures, Cibus Capital, Fall Line Capital, and others. The goal: fast-track deployment of Visionsteer™, a rugged, AI-driven retrofit kit that turns existing orchard tractors and sprayers into fully autonomous machines.

Unlike traditional autonomous systems that rely on GPS or lidar, Visionsteer™ uses computer vision and machine learning to guide vehicles through dusty, cluttered environments with low visibility. That means no need for satellites, internet connectivity, or ideal weather conditions.

"We're not developing AI for tomorrow," said co-founder and CEO Tyler Niday, a Blue River Technology alum. "We're deploying it where it's needed most-on real farms, in real conditions."

Bonsai has already field-tested 40+ units across the U.S. and Australia, collecting data from over 500,000 acres in crops like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and soon expanding to citrus and apples. The company is targeting new markets, including macadamias and vineyards, with a broader footprint across North America and the Iberian Peninsula.

More than just automation, Visionsteer™ aims to cut the number of machines needed, double operational speed, and slash fuel consumption-delivering true cost efficiency to specialty crop producers struggling with chronic labor shortages.

Tom Biegala, managing partner at Bison Ventures, called the technology a "paradigm shift in how fruit and nut orchards are managed," emphasizing its potential to stabilize rural economies with smarter, scalable tools.

Unlike lidar-based autonomous tractors or GPS-guided robots, Bonsai's AI-first approach thrives in real-world orchard conditions-navigating complex terrain without external signals.

For now, Bonsai is partnering with OEM machinery manufacturers to integrate Visionsteer™ into growers' current equipment-avoiding costly fleet overhauls.