John Deere has completed the acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a Kingsburg-based manufacturer specializing in autonomous sprayers for agriculture. The deal follows a previous joint venture between the two companies established in 2022, which included John Deere taking a 40% equity stake in GUSS.
GUSS Automation was founded by Dave Crinklaw in 2018 and produces machines that allow one operator to supervise up to eight autonomous sprayers at once. These machines use GPS, lidar sensors, and proprietary software to navigate orchards and vineyards while applying chemicals. The technology aims to lower labor costs, reduce operator error, and minimize waste.
Lidar technology uses laser pulses to detect objects’ presence and distance with high precision. This system is particularly useful when GPS signals are weak or blocked by tree canopies.
To date, more than 250 GUSS machines have been deployed worldwide. They have collectively sprayed over 2.6 million acres during more than 500,000 hours of autonomous operation.
According to John Deere’s announcement, GUSS sprayers will continue to be sold and serviced exclusively through John Deere dealers. The company will keep its name, brand identity, employees, and manufacturing facility in Kingsburg near Highway 99. John Deere plans to support GUSS as it expands globally and continues integrating with other technologies such as Smart Apply precision spraying equipment acquired by John Deere in 2023.
“Fully integrating GUSS into the John Deere portfolio is a continuation of our dedication to serving high-value crop customers with advanced, scalable technologies to help them do more with less,” said Julien Le Vely, director of production systems for high value & small acre crops at John Deere. “GUSS brings a proven solution to a fast-growing segment of agriculture, and its team has a deep understanding of customer needs in orchards and vineyards. We’re excited to have them fully part of the John Deere team.”
The move also broadens John Deere’s manufacturing footprint within the U.S., placing operations closer to major high-value crop regions. Since 2024, GUSS sprayers have used engines from John Deere Power Systems.
“Joining John Deere enables us to tap into their unmatched innovative capabilities in precision agriculture technologies to bring our solutions to more growers around the world,” said Gary Thompson, chief operations officer at GUSS. “Our team is passionate about helping high-value crop growers increase their efficiency and productivity in their operations, and together with John Deere, we will have the ability to have an even greater impact.”
Development on what would become GUSS began around 2014 amid limited available software for agricultural automation applications. The company developed four-wheel automated steering for maneuvering through tight orchard spaces and adopted laser-based navigation for situations where GPS was unreliable due to dense foliage.
