Vision-based automation and autonomy for growers and equipment manufacturers
Bonsai Robotics Inc. is reimagining farming production systems with an AI-first approach to provide vision-based autonomous solutions for harsh environments. Based on patented AI models, a leading orchard data set and computer-vision software, Bonsai’s solutions integrate seamlessly to make OEM equipment operate autonomously. Bonsai technology can navigate in GNSS-denied environments, without a cellular or internet connection, making the highly affordable technology ideal for the toughest physical conditions where dust, darkness, debris, elevation changes and vibration may occur.
At Bonsai Robotics, our mission is to revolutionize the agriculture industry through precision robotics and AI-powered autonomy. We are addressing the most pressing challenges in the industry today by empowering OEMs and growers with smarter, more efficient solutions that enhance productivity and provide key operational insights. By blending cutting-edge technology with a commitment to sustainability, we strive to create a future where automation works harmoniously with nature and society.
Tyler Niday
Co-Founder & CEO
Tyler Niday is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bonsai Robotics. Before founding Bonsai Robotics, Tyler spent seven years at Blue River Technology and John Deere in engineering leadership, where he played a key role in pioneering "See & Spray" technology and was the founding engineer of the autonomy team. His work in autonomous systems and precision agriculture helped shape industry-leading innovations. Prior to Blue River, Tyler designed agricultural equipment for the tree nut industry at Orchard Machinery Corporation (OMC), focusing on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and drive-by-wire systems. Tyler holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly and a Master’s degree in System Design and Management from MIT.
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Ugur Oezdemir
Co-Founder & CTO
Ugur Oezdemir is the Co-Founder and CTO of Bonsai Robotics, where he leads the company’s technological vision and innovation in agricultural autonomy. He brings over a decade of robotics and computer vision expertise to the development of autonomous systems. Ugur was pivotal in building the vision-based autonomy stack at John Deere and Blue River Technology, driving breakthroughs in agricultural robotics. Before founding Bonsai Robotics, he was a key contributor to Airbus’s Vahana project at A³, a self-piloted eVTOL aircraft. His earlier career includes several senior autonomy roles at Volkswagen and Toyota, as well as research and development positions at Mercedes-Benz and the Fraunhofer Institute.
Matt Pigeon
CFO
Matt Pigeon is the CFO at Bonsai Robotics, with a rich history in financial leadership spanning over two decades. Matt served as CFO at Bexson Biomedical, Senior Vice President for Business Development & Finance for the publicly traded company Inogen (INGN), and CFO for the medical technology company Sientra, where he led commercialization efforts and a successful IPO. Mr. Pigeon was also an investment banker with extensive M&A and equity capital markets experience where he spent a majority of his career with Montgomery Securities and Bank of America Securities.
Brian Baumgartner
Head of Product
Brian Baumgartner is Bonsai’s Head of Product. As an autonomy expert with experience in land, air, sea, and space robotics, he has led teams at high profile companies like Uber, Aurora, and SpaceX, as well as conducted cutting edge research for the U.S. D.o.D. and Australian CSIRO. Brian joined Bonsai with a goal of bringing lessons from on road autonomous vehicles (“self-driving cars”) to the orchard in order to improve agricultural efficiency in labour, cost reduction, and speed.
Sarath Suvarna
Head of Autonomy Software
Sarath Suvarna is the Head of Autonomy Software at Bonsai Robotics. He is a seasoned robotics and software engineering leader with over a decade of experience spanning autonomous systems, consumer robotics, and artificial intelligence. Previously, he spearheaded robotics innovations as the Head of Robotics Software at OffWorld and Head of Autonomy Software at Neato Robotics, driving impactful projects like autonomous mining robots and next-generation vacuum cleaning robots with deep learning capabilities.
Kevin Ross
Head of BD
Kevin Ross is the Head of Business Development at Bonsai. With over two decades of experience in the software industry, Kevin is a seasoned sales and business development leader. A graduate of the University of Southern California, his diverse background spans international sales, strategic partnerships, sales management, and channel development. Kevin has built a reputation as an expert in the agriculture software sector, having held leadership roles at CamoAg, where he led institutional sales, and at Fieldin, where he spearheaded the business development team.
Elise Sudlow
COS
Elise Sudlow serves as the Chief of Staff at Bonsai Robotics. She earned a Master’s in Public Administration with Highest Honors from the University of San Francisco’s School of Management, graduating in 2018. Shortly after, Elise joined Matternet, a pioneer in autonomous drone delivery systems, where she spent the next five years. With a broad range of experience in scaling and leading startup operations and teams, she brings invaluable expertise to Bonsai.