TRIC Robotics is a San Luis Obispo, California–based agtech startup, founded in 2017. With a small team of under 10 employees, they have developed a robotic system called Luna that employs UV‑C light—a chemical‑free, organic method—for pest and disease control in strawberry fields.
Mission & Innovation
TRIC is set out to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, addressing growing issues around pesticide resistance, labor constraints, consumer safety, and environmental impact. Luna delivers autonomous, tractor-scale UV‑C treatments—targeting pathogens and pests like botrytis, mites, mildew, and mold—in lieu of traditional sprays.
As a result, Luna enables chemical‑free pathogen control, promotes improved crop yield, and offers a resistant-free solution that maintains efficacy over time.
The Luna System
- Autonomous Operations: Equipped to run overnight, Luna sweeps through strawberry rows using UV‑C emitters and integrates a six‑row electric bug vacuum to remove insect residue without harming plants.
- Fleet Scale: To date, TRIC has deployed over 9 robots, treating more than 1,000 acres of open-field strawberries, with additional units in production.
- Data Integration: Each treatment delivers bi‑weekly data analytics on pest and disease prevalence— empowering growers with insights to tailor practices.
Business Model & Growth
TRIC operates a service‑based model, reflecting the agricultural industry’s prevailing approach: rather than selling robots, they offer pest control as a turnkey service. This model helped accelerate traction with growers.
They initially piloted robots via a USDA‑facilitated introduction in 2021, starting with two units transported across the U.S. to gather field data—earning real-world validation during farm trial seasons.
Funding & Expansion
In July 2025, TRIC raised a $5.5 million seed round led by Version One Ventures, with participation from Garage Capital, Lucas Venture Group, Todd & Rahul Capital, Valor Equity Partners, and founding partners affiliated with Clearpath Robotics.
These funds are earmarked for scaling the Luna fleet, expanding into new growing regions, and extending to other specialty crops beyond strawberries.
Real-World Impact
Organic Pest Control, Elevated
UV-C delivers an organic pesticide alternative that doesn’t contribute to chemical resistance, supports regulatory compliance, and safeguards workers and consumers.
Yield, Quality & Efficiency
By reducing disease-related losses and eliminating re-entry safety periods, Luna enhances harvest yields and farm-level operational efficiency.
Nighttime Automation
Luna operates overnight when field crews are off-duty—providing consistent pest control without disrupting daytime activities. The design accommodates field obstacles—articulating booms enable precise UV positioning during nocturnal runs.
Leadership & Vision
- Adam Stager, Co-founder & CEO, pivoted the company from robotics for SWAT teams towards agriculture after his PhD, seeking greater impact.
- Vishnu Somasundaram and Ryan Berard joined as co-founders, contributing expertise in robotics engineering and agricultural operations.
Stager frames the venture as mission-driven: improving food safety, worker health, and sustainability—a purpose reaffirmed through service-based deployment.
Future Outlook & Expansion Plans
- Scaling Deployment: With the seed funding secured, TRIC plans to manufacture more Lunas and expand to major strawberry growing regions like Oxnard, CA—and eventually to other high-value crops.
- Crop Diversification: While strawberries are their flagship, TRIC aims to bring UV‑C automation to apples, grapes, leafy greens, and more specialty crops in the near future.
- Technology Evolution: Luna continues to collect high-fidelity operational data, which will inform future advances in AI-powered targeting and precision plant scans.
Summary
TRIC Robotics is reimagining agricultural pest control with UV‑C powered robotic automation—delivering chemical‑free, resistance‑proof, data‑driven pest management tailored for specialty crops. With a fleet already active across 1,000+ acres, a scalable service model, recent capital infusion, and bold plans to expand regionally and crop-wise, TRIC is paving the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and safe future in AgTech.
