Dr. Berry, who specializes in precision weed management and the integration of geographic information systems (GIS) technology into agronomic practices, is recognized for his research in spot spraying technology, weed mapping and isolation, and weed identification through image analysis and spectral variation. His work helps enable data-driven, field scale approaches to weed management across specialty seed and mint oil production systems.

PASCO, Wash. (AgPR) Nov. 25, 2025 — Ecorobotix, an AI company specializing in precision agriculture, today announced the commencement of a multi-year research collaboration with Oregon State University to advance weed-targeting technology in grass seed production systems. The study, led by Dr. Pete Berry, Assistant Professor in OSU's Department of Crop and Soil Science, focuses on Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue seed crops—two cornerstone species in Oregon's global grass seed industry.

Dr. Berry, who specializes in precision weed management and the integration of geographic information systems (GIS) technology into agronomic practices, is recognized for his research in spot spraying technology, weed mapping and isolation, and weed identification through image analysis and spectral variation. His work helps enable data-driven, field scale approaches to weed management across specialty seed and mint oil production systems.

A member of the Pacific Northwest Herbicide Resistant Initiative, as well as the Weed Science Society of America and the Western Society of Weed Science, Dr. Berry earned his Ph.D. from Oregon State University in 2019. After several years as a field researcher with Syngenta in Illinois, he returned to OSU in 2022 to establish his precision weed management program. He currently teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Weed Management and Advanced Weed Management, providing students with hands-on training in precision weed control and species identification.

The collaboration with Ecorobotix centers on validating the company's Plant-by-Plant AI technology in real-world seed production environments.

Using the ARA Ultra High Precision

(UHP) Sprayer, researchers will evaluate how AI-guided spot spraying can improve efficiency and weed selectivity while reducing chemical inputs and labor requirements.

The ARA UHP Sprayer features a 20-foot-wide boom capable of operating at 4.5 mph, identifying and spraying weed targets as small as 2.4 by 2.4 inches. The system's advanced vision and computing platform detects and selectively treats problem weeds such as poa annua and Italian ryegrass, which are among the most difficult to control in grass seed production.

By combining Oregon State's agronomic expertise with Ecorobotix's cutting-edge automation, the study aims to quantify the efficiency, selectivity, and agronomic benefits of AI-guided spot spraying in grass seed and turf production systems. Early results indicate potential for significant reductions in labor costs and herbicide use without compromising yield or seed purity.

"Working with Oregon State University and Dr. Berry allows us to validate our technology in complex, high-value seed systems," said Katerina Lee, Regional Crop Care Manager at Ecorobotix. "This collaboration represents another important step in demonstrating how our Plant-by-Plant AI and Ultra High Precision spraying can transform weed management for U.S. producers."

About Ecorobotix

Ecorobotix is an AI company that specializes in precision agriculture. Its flagship product, the ARA Ultra High Precision Sprayer, uses advanced cameras, powerful computing, and proprietary Plant by Plant AI to detect and treat plants with unmatched accuracy. Supporting more than 25 crop algorithms and capable of recognizing over 40 weed species, ARA helps growers cut input use by up to 95%—reducing chemical costs, saving labor, and protecting yields. Swiss-born and operating globally, Ecorobotix combines European innovation with North American agricultural expertise. Headquartered in Pasco, Washington, and operating across North America, Ecorobotix is helping producers and turf professionals achieve higher efficiency and greater returns while being good stewards of the earth.