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Autonomous Nation is a conference bringing together the best and brightest minds in the autonomous industry. Join influential stakeholders, industry entrepreneurs, and innovators leading the way in advancing autonomous technology!
From tackling workforce shortages to eliminating inefficiencies and bridging technology gaps, this conference will showcase the latest innovations and solutions that will shape the future of our industry. We will also feature several live demonstrations to showcase the latest technology in real-time and real-world demonstrations!
On September 12th, 2024 we hosted several engaging speakers, heard from innovative panelists, and witnessed incredible live demonstrations.
This event was held on September 12, 2024.
Adaptability and scalability of autonomous systems:
Discuss how autonomous systems can be designed to adapt to diverse agricultural environments and scale effectively to different farm sizes and types.
Use cases of autonomy in agriculture:
What are different types of autonomous applications in ag both on farm and off farm?
Integration with existing infrastructure and practices
Exploring strategies for integrating autonomous technology with existing equipment, workflows, and agricultural practices to minimize disruption and maximize efficiency gains.
Data management and connectivity:
Addressing challenges related to data collection, processing, storage, and connectivity in rural agricultural settings, and showcasing innovative solutions and best practices for managing agricultural data effectively
Reverse pitch sessions
What are the challenges that growers and industry want to see solved that autonomy can solve?
Coffee & Networking
Conference Introduction
Darcy Cook, Head of Autonomous Solutions, PTx Trimble
Terri Zimmerman, CEO, Packet Digital
Bodo Seifert, Senior Automotive Functional Safety Engineer and Practice Lead, TÜV Rheinland Group
Grower’s Panel
A space to hear from farmers themseleves on autonomous technology and the impact it has on agriculture.
Moderator: Stetson Urlacher, Grower Program Coordinator, Grand Farm
Panelists:
Startup Pitches
Lukas Koch, Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems
Break
TechConnect Education Workshop
The TechConnect Workshop, for students and educators, will connect educators and students with professionals representing different careers in technology and the autonomous industry, and resources available in our region.
AI and Autonomy’s role in Weed Detection and Destruction Panel
This panel will focus on the collaborative effort between Grand Farm, Northern Plains UAS test site, NDSU, Thales, and iSight on utilizing UAS systems and AI tools to help prevent the spread of the noxious weed, Palmer Amaranth that is spreading in North Dakota. This panel will also cover the opportunities UAS has in agriculture through technologies like the VANTIS network enabling BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) flights.
Moderator: Johnathan Gehrke, UND
Panelists:
Startup Pitches
Adam Gilbertson, Senior Vice President – Field Technology and Innovation, RDO Equipment
Hector Xu, CEO, Rotor
Dr. Noel Anderson – Keynote
Lunch
Networking
Live Demonstrations
James Kim, Amiga Robot
Joe Bridges, NAIO Robot
Devin Nohl, TenacityAg
Arun Seelam, Boson Motors Truck
Dr. Xin (Rex) Sun, NDSU Ag Engineering
Conference Wrap-Up and Social Hour
Head of Autonomous Solutions
Ptx Trimble
Inventor
Sr. Project Manager
Northern Plains UAS Test Site
CEO
Tempest Droneworx
CEO
Bovi
Grower
North Dakota Corn Growers Association
Senior Director of Development – School of Aerospace
University of North Dakota
SVP – Field Technology and Innovation
RDO Equipment
Grower
CEO
Nighthawk Robotics
CEO
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems
Grower
Director
NAIO
Flight Operations Manager
iSight
CEO & Co-Founder
Boson Motors
Senior Automotive Functional Safety Engineer and Practice Lead
TÜV Rheinland Group
Project Consultant
Thales
Associate Professor
NDSU
CEO
Rotor
CEO
Packet Digital
CEO
Kelly Hills Unmanned Systems
Director
NAIO
Ecosystems Director
Grand Farm
CEO
FARMS
Join us for a real-life glimpse at some of the innovative technology that our partners and researchers have designed and built. Learn about the practical implications of autonomous farming and the role it plays in shaping the future.
Join us for our live demonstrations at the Big Iron Farm Show from 2 PM – 4 PM on September 12th, 2024.
Get excited about demos from TenacityAg, NAIO, Boson Motors, and Farm_ng’s Amiga Robot.
TechConnect: Navigating Future Careers in the Autonomous Industry
Many people today hear about the opportunity for a career in tech but are unaware of what types of jobs are available across the industry and in our region. Through this workshop, Grand Farm will connect educators and students with professionals representing different careers in technology and the autonomous industry, and resources available in our region to learn more. This workshop is part of the larger Autonomous Nation Conference taking place on September 12th, 2024.
Objectives:
Join us if you are a:
Registrants will Experience:
Speakers:
Hosts:
Big Iron Farm Show
Stop by the Grand Farm booth from 9 AM – 5 PM to connect with the team, learn more about Grand Farm, and get a chance to win some Grand Farm swag!
8:30 AM – 10:30 AM – StartupBREW & Startup World Cup Regional Pitch Competition
Join us at the Grand Farm Innovation Shop for our Autonomous Nation themed StartupBREW from 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM! Immediately following StartupBREW we will host the Startup World Cup Regional Pitch Competition from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM!
1:30 PM – 3:30 PM – Grand Farm Field Day
Join us for our final Field Day of the season!
Autonomous Nation Conference
Senior Product Manager
Microsoft Azure
Co-founder
Aigen
Education Coordinator
ND Aeronautics Commission
Vice President, Agriculture & Research
Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative
Founder and CEO
Agripilot.ai
Chief Executive Officer
Devii.io
Program Manager of Field Operations
Grand Farm
Director of Product Management, Autonomous Systems
Microsoft
Chief Advocacy Officer
AUVSI
Associate Vice President
UND Foundation
Associate Professor, Uncrewed Autonomous Systems (UAS) Faculty Fellow
North Dakota State University
Director of Operations
Northern Plains UAS Test Site
Associate Professor, Uncrewed Autonomous Systems (UAS) Faculty Fellow
North Dakota State University
TechSpark Manager
Microsoft
Engineering and Product Leader
Thread
Chief Executive Officer
Packet Digital/Botlink
Grand Farm, powered by Emerging Prairie, is a network of growers, technologists, corporations, startups, educators, policymakers, and investors working together to solve problems in agriculture with applied technology.
The Grand Farm initiative accelerates research and innovation in technology for the farm of the future.
Grand Farm does not take ownership or a vested interest in partners’ intellectual property and refrains from making decisions on IP developed as part of contracts with other organizations.