A grower harvesting broccoli in the morning could theoretically switch hardware and software configurations to harvest romaine later in the day. Future applications could include weeding, thinning and other field operations. “The platform is like the tractor,” Labrecque said. “The grippers and tools are like the implements.” The company hopes to create an open ecosystem where universities, researchers and other technology companies can develop specialized tools that operate on the SAMI platform. While many agricultural robots focus on smaller-scale operations, Sami deliberately pursued a larger design, and according to Labrecque, the reason comes down to throughput. Fresh produce moves on a tight timeline. Once harvested, crops need to reach cooling facilities quickly to preserve quality. A robot that harvests accurately but too slowly creates bottlenecks elsewhere in the supply chain. “We have big fields and big production systems in North America,” Labrecque said. To address that reality, Sami’s current commercial platform design features between 12 and 18 robotic arms operating simultaneously. Depending on the application, each arm can perform work equivalent to approximately 1.8 field cutters. A 12-arm configuration can therefore perform work comparable to roughly 20 harvest workers, while larger configurations approach the equivalent of 30 workers, Labrecque explained. The machine spans multiple rows at once and uses advanced camera systems to map the harvesting area in real time. Because the robots work collaboratively within a shared workspace, the system can operate in any type of bed configurations. The company also designed the machine with practical field realities in mind. Its tracked undercarriage helps distribute weight and reduce soil compaction while maintaining maneuverability in field roads and challenging conditions. Reliability Above All Else If there is one word Labrecque returns to repeatedly, it’s reliability. For growers, a machine that occasionally works is not enough, he explained. Harvest crews often begin work before sunrise. Equipment must perform consistently throughout long days and changing field conditions. “When you start at 3 a.m., it needs to work until 3 p.m. nonstop,” Labrecque said. That focus reflects Labrecque’s background in medical technology, and Lapalme’s background in aeronautics, where safety, validation and rigorous testing are fundamental requirements. While agriculture presents a different operating environment, the underlying philosophy remains the same. “We have spent significant effort ensuring that individual hardware, software and robotic systems function together as an integrated platform capable of enduring harsh field conditions,” he said. As Sami continues expanding into additional crops, maintaining reliability while adding new capabilities will remain a central focus. The Economics of Adoption For agtech, return on investment remains a critical consideration. Sami established an early target, which is that
growers should be able to recover their investment within two years or less. According to the company’s modeling, replacing a 25-person harvesting crew can generate substantial labor savings depending on crop type and operating schedules. A harvesting crew can cost between $1.8 million and $2 million annually, Labrecque said. Because the machines can potentially operate multiple shifts, some growers have suggested they could achieve even faster payback periods by maximizing machine utilization. The company’s business model reflects feedback from larger growers who prefer ownership rather than robotics-as-a-service arrangements. Looking Ahead This summer marks a significant milestone for Sami Robotics. The company is officially entering the commercial market, offering its harvesting systems for sale while scaling manufacturing and support capabilities. At the same time, Sami is expanding its presence within Western Growers’ Reservoir Farms innovation ecosystem, where the company will continue testing and demonstrating its technology alongside growers and industry partners. For Labrecque, the long-term vision extends beyond selling machines. He sees a future where intelligent robotic systems become essential infrastructure supporting food production, helping growers overcome labor shortages while strengthening food security. Over the next five years, the company hopes to scale production, introduce multiple machine configurations and deploy more than 150 units throughout California, Arizona and beyond. For an idea that began with one farmer’s observation that harvest crews were still working the same way they had decades ago, the progress has been impressive. And if Sami’s founders are successful, the next generation of farmworkers may include not only people, but also fleets of intelligent robotic partners working alongside them to keep fresh produce moving from field to table.
32 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July – September 2026
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