Ground Control’s centipede bots crawl toward ag innovation

Ground Control Robotics, a startup founded by Georgia Tech researcher Dan Goldman, is bringing robotic centipedes to agriculture. Inspired by the efficient movement of wiggly animals like snakes and arthropods, these robots are designed to navigate rugged terrain and perform tasks such as data collection and weed control, particularly in perennial crops like grapes and blueberries. Unlike traditional farm robots that rely on wheels or four-legged designs, GCR’s segmented, legged robots can maneuver through cluttered environments without damaging plants or requiring complex controls.

The robots use a combination of simple motors and cable-driven legs to “swim” across uneven landscapes, offering reliable movement with minimal sensing or computation. By decentralizing the intelligence and focusing on mechanical design, GCR keeps costs low, potentially in the thousand-dollar range, while enabling scalability through swarms of robots. These bots can operate continuously, making them ideal for labor-intensive, pesticide-free farming practices that currently rely on human workers.

GCR is piloting the technology with a blueberry farm and vineyard in Georgia, with plans to expand into automated weed removal and broader agricultural or disaster relief applications. While traditional robots struggle with unpredictable terrain, GCR’s leggy design thrives in these conditions, offering a promising alternative to expensive or ineffective current solutions.