Hose runner saves time and effort
Rakaia-based equipment manufacturer Pluck’s Engineering will soon start production of a new machine designed to simplify the deployment and retrieval of temporary water troughs used in winter break feeding.
The company’s autonomous Oxin tractor recently completed a series of successful demonstrations in the United States, attracting strong interest from major wine producers and marking a key step in its global expansion strategy.
Smart Machines Chief Executive Andrew Kersley says feedback from the US demos has been overwhelmingly positive, reinforcing the company’s belief in the Oxin’s market potential. “We’ve definitely built the world’s most functionally advanced machinery in this space now,” Andrew says. “The overwhelming feedback has been that they haven’t been to many demos that have been able to deliver any proof of functionality or capability that would actually make a difference. It’s validating to hear that we’ve reached the point where we can start integrating this technology into real-world operations.”
The US demonstrations showcased the technology while solidifying critical partnerships. Smart Machines is moving ahead with Pellenc America as its US distribution, service and support partner. While the success in the US is a significant achievement, Smart Machines has also made substantial progress in New Zealand and Australia. The Oxin tractor is now operating in two key regions in New Zealand, with 19 machines in service.
Andrew highlighted the ongoing development tailored to New Zealand’s specific growing conditions. “We’ve been doing a lot of productive trial work with various customers, which is great. The pathway is looking pretty solid moving forward in New Zealand.” In Australia, the company has been testing Oxin in more extreme conditions, including 45C days and vineyards featuring sprawling canopies. Despite the technical challenges, the trials have been fruitful, particularly with early adopters like Duxton Vineyards. These trials have also opened doors to alternative crop markets, such as almonds and citrus, which face similar labour challenges. “Australia’s proven to be a great testing ground that gives us some good experiences in terms of how we operate as a business outside of New Zealand, but also exposure into some of these other market opportunities, which have much bigger footprints globally,” Andrew explains.
Smart Machines’ innovation was recognised earlier this year when the company was awarded the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Most Innovative Hi-Tech Agritech Solution award. The accolade not only boosted team morale but also provided important validation as the company continues to raise capital. “As an innovator, you’re so deep in the woods trying to solve problems that there’s not a lot of time to pop your head out and go, ‘look how cool this actually is’,” Andrew says. “This award was a great opportunity for the team to celebrate what we’ve achieved.”
Looking ahead, Smart Machines is focused on scaling up production and securing additional funding to support its ambitious growth plans. The company is exploring partnerships to facilitate global manufacturing and distribution within the core markets of New Zealand, Australia and the US, while also pursuing other opportunities in Europe and South America. With continued strong investor interest and a solid technological foundation, Smart Machines is wellpositioned to expand its reach and continue innovating in the autonomous machinery space, Andrew says. “We’re excited about the future and the opportunities to scale this technology globally, ensuring that it delivers real value to growers around the world.”
