Le 01/12/2025
Arha Padman from Niqo Robotics Is The Women of The Year
Arha Padman from Niqo Robotics received the very first Women in Agrobotics Award at FIRA USA 2025 in Woodland, California, USA. A panel of judges chose Padman for her exceptional dedication, vision and positive impact on the agricultural robotics industry.
As the CMO of Niqo Robotics, Padman oversees marketing, branding, communications and product storytelling. She also works closely with Founder & CEO, Jaisimha Rao.
“It’s a role that sits right at the intersection of narrative, technology, and business, which is where I love working,” Padman said.
Notably, Padman didn’t start her career in agtech. She was inspired to make a career change. After hearing CEO Rao speak about Niqo’s mission and the challenges growers face, “Something about the clarity and purpose of that mission stayed with me,” Padman said. “The idea of working on real-world problems with real-world impact felt incredibly meaningful. Agriculture is one of the world’s most essential industries, but also one of the most underserved when it comes to technology. Knowing that our work can directly improve a grower’s productivity, sustainability or livelihood is a huge motivator.”
Simple, Dependable and Easy-to-Use
Niqo Robotics’ mission is centred around a simple but transformative idea: liberate farmers from outdated farming practices. Its products are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing farm equipment, ensuring sustainable solutions are accessible to farms of all sizes. For example, Niqo Sense can transform any conventional sprayer into an AI-powered spot sprayer, reducing chemical use up to 60%.
Padman believes the biggest misconception about agricultural robotics is that the solutions are complex and difficult to implement.
“In reality, the best agrobots are simple,” said Padman. “They fit into existing workflows and make everyday operations easier, faster and more sustainable.”
Niqo Robotics’ RoboThinner for Lettuce Farms
Niqo Robotics recently introduced a new solution for lettuce farmers. Niqo RoboThinner is a 3-in-1, AI-powered spot-spray robot that thins, weeds and applies beneficials in a single smart pass across specialty crops like lettuce, broccoli, onions and more. Operating at speeds up to 7.2 kph/4.5 mph, the tractor-pulled system is designed for seamless integration into existing farm operations.
“At Niqo Robotics, we’re passionate about making advanced technology that feels usable, not intimidating. When robotics becomes as routine as any other farm tool, that’s when the real transformation happens,” Padman said.
Padman and Niqo Robotics: Advancing AgTech
When asked what accomplishments she is most proud of, Padman said, “Seeing our robots working reliably in fields and solving real problems for growers. Nothing beats that feeling. It makes all the effort behind the scenes worth it.”
Padman is also proud to be the first recipient of the Women in Agrobotics Award. “Where I grew up, girls were often encouraged to stay within familiar limits. Choosing a different path felt like breaking a barrier. If even one woman learns about this award and thinks, ‘Maybe there’s space for me in agrobotics too,’ the award has done its job,” she said.
“In an industry like agrobotics, where the technology we build impacts millions of lives, representation matters. When women are part of that innovation, the solutions become more inclusive and grounded and I’m grateful to Niqo for creating a culture where contributions are valued and supported.”
For anyone hoping to follow in Padman’s footsteps, she recommends a formal education and a mindset of curiosity.
“Agrobotics is interdisciplinary, so you can come in through engineering, AI, computer science, agriculture, marketing, business or operations,” Padman said. “But practical exposure is what really matters. Internships, field visits, technical workshops and hands-on problem-solving will help you build confidence.”
“Most importantly, be comfortable with learning as you go. This industry evolves fast. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to stay open, ask good questions, and keep showing up.”
Looking ahead, Padman and Niqo Robotics are focused on helping farmers overcome challenges related to labour shortages, chemical overuse and the need for precise, sustainable operations. Visit niqorobotics.com to learn more about their solutions.
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