Autonomous Orchard Sprayer Optimizes Use of Labour Improves Safety and Sustainability

Autonomous Sprayer Designed for Orchards and Vineyards

GUSS autonomous airblast sprayers use GPS, LiDAR and proprietary software to navigate rows and spray crops. The system is specifically engineered for orchard and vineyard environments, where precision, safety and efficiency are critical.

The GUSS range includes Orchard GUSS, Mini GUSS and Herbicide GUSS. A single operator can manage up to eight GUSS machines remotely via a laptop and safely outside the spray zone.

Since its founding in 2018, GUSS Automation has deployed more than 250 machines around the world, spraying more than 1 million hectares/2.6 million acres and logging 500,000+ autonomous hours. GUSS sprayers have also been extensively tested at the John Deere Parla Innovation Centre in Madrid, Spain. European producers of almonds, walnuts, olives, grapes, and other orchard crops gave the sprayers high marks for efficiency, accuracy and overall performance.

"GUSS is a great example of how technology is solving real-world challenges in orchard and vineyard production," said Javier Fernández, John Deere's High Value Crops Production System Manager for Europe. "Their solutions directly address labour shortages, safety concerns and sustainability goals."

GUSS Automation was acquired by John Deere in August 2025 as part of a joint venture established in 2022. John Deere is currently working on certification and homologation processes to offer GUSS sprayers across Europe through John Deere dealers.

Smart Apply Precision Crop Spraying

At the heart of the GUSS system is the Smart Apply Precision spraying technology. Smart Apply adjusts chemical doses for each nozzle based on tree or vine leaf density, ensuring the spray is applied only where it is needed.

This targeted approach reduces drift, supports food safety and delivers measurable savings. Smart Apply has demonstrated chemical reductions of up to 67% in orange trees and 51% in vineyards, aligning closely with European sustainability goals and regulatory expectations. Lower chemical usage not only reduces costs, it also benefits the environment and long-term soil and crop health.

Upcoming Field Demonstration in Toulouse, France

On Thursday, 5 February 2026, attendees at the FIRA event in Toulouse can see the GUSS system in action. It’s one of several events that will take place at the Agrobiopôle site in Auzeville-Tolosane — the kick-off point for FIRA’s 2026 GOFAR World Tour.

View the full schedule of demonstrations and list of exhibitors at gofar-tour.com.