Automated Broccoli Transplanter

Motivo partnered with Greenheart Farms to automate and streamline transplanting

The Problem: A Labor Crisis in Agriculture

Faced with rising labor costs and an ever-shrinking workforce, Greenheart Farms, one of California’s top vegetable growers and transplant services providers, knew it was time for a radical shift. Traditional transplanting methods were labor-intensive, inefficient, and vulnerable to unpredictable field conditions.

Could automation solve the problem? It wouldn’t be easy. Nature doesn’t follow strict rules—broccoli seedlings vary in size, moisture changes throughout the day, and delicate plants need careful handling. Greenheart needed a game-changing transplanter that could not only cut down on labor but also match or surpass human precision.

That’s where Motivo came in.

The Development Journey: From Concept to Reality

Motivo worked closely with Greenheart Farms throughout every stage of development, ensuring that every aspect of the machine met the rigorous demands of commercial agriculture.

The process included:

Phase 1: Research & Proof-of-Concept

Conducted extensive field studies to understand existing transplanting inefficiencies.
Identified key pain points: labor intensity, plant selection accuracy, and machine robustness.
Developed initial feasibility studies on machine vision and pneumatic transport.

Phase 2: Prototyping & Testing

Designed and built an initial working prototype within six months.
Integrated a Precision Vision System to identify and select the best seedlings with machine learning.
Developed an Innovative Seedling Pickup System to ensure gentle, precise handling.
Implemented a Pneumatic Transport System to enable smooth, damage-free transplanting.

Phase 3: Refinement & Optimization

Iterated multiple times based on field trials.
Improved durability and resistance to farm conditions (dust, moisture, uneven terrain).
Ensured compatibility with existing Greenheart seedling flats to avoid costly process overhauls.

Phase 4: Field Deployment & Industry Debut

Final prototype successfully tested in large-scale transplanting trials.
Official debut at the 2019 World Ag Expo, showcasing its breakthrough performance.

The Challenge: Engineering for the Unpredictable

Building an automated transplanter sounds simple—until you realize just how chaotic nature can be.

To be successful, the machine had to:

Handle Inconsistent Crops – Different maturation stages, root structures, and leaf sizes.
Be Smart & Selective – Identify only healthy seedlings, skipping the weaker ones.
Withstand Tough Farm Conditions – Dust, dirt, and moisture couldn’t interfere with performance.
Integrate with Existing Greenheart Flats – No reinventing the wheel—just optimizing it.

The goal wasn’t just automation. It was reliability, precision, and durability—all in one intelligent, compact machine.

The Breakthrough: Smart Engineering Meets Smart Farming

Motivo partnered closely with Greenheart, studying every detail of the transplanting process. The result? A lightweight, high-performance automated transplanter built to handle the unpredictable.

Precision Vision System – Identifies and selects the best seedlings with machine learning.
Innovative Seedling Pickup – A novel method ensures gentle, precise handling.
Pneumatic Transport System – Uses air power for smooth, damage-free transplanting.
Compact & Modular Design – Smaller footprint, fewer moving parts, and easy servicing.
Flexible Planting Configurations – Adjustable for different spacing and bed layouts.

The Impact: A Leap Forward for Agriculture

The results were staggering. The automated transplanter achieved:

Three transplants per second – Faster than any human crew.
Over 95% success rate – Verified by machine vision.
Reduced in-field labor – Making operations more cost-effective and scalable.

But this wasn’t just a success for broccoli—it’s a breakthrough for the entire vegetable transplanting industry. The technology is adaptable for other crops, promising a global impact in an industry that has seen little innovation for decades.

After just six months of intense development, Motivo delivered the prototype, and it made its public debut at the 2019 World Ag Expo. Next steps? Scaling up for volume production and bringing the future of farming to fields worldwide.

Why It Matters

Labor shortages and rising costs are reshaping agriculture, and automation is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. By improving efficiency and consistency in transplanting, this innovation supports growers in meeting demand while navigating a changing industry landscape.