Advancements in Technology Reshaping Agricultural Practices

Amit Goel
Director, Robotics and Edge Computing
NVIDIA

Amit Goel is head of robotics and edge AI ecosystem at NVIDIA, where he leads developer relations for the NVIDIA Isaac robotics platform and development of NVIDIA Jetson. Prior to joining NVIDIA in 2011, he worked as a senior software engineer at Synopsys, where he developed algorithms for statistical performance modeling of digital designs. Amit holds an MS in electrical engineering from Arizona State University and an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley.

Bob Pitzer
CTO, co-founder, Chief Engineer
Harvest CROO

Bob Pitzer is a technology executive with a history of creating industry-changing solutions and new technologies. He has hands-on experience in robotics, automation and product realization and a broad vision for solving complex problems with technology, both available and propriety, and recruiting top talent for edge-of-technology application. He is a thought originator with technical R&D experience in ship building (U.S. Navy), semiconductor (Intel), education (U.S. FIRST), agriculture (HCR), pharmaceutical (Pharmaworks), and entertainment (BattleBots). HCR has been granted 13 patents for its proprietary intellectual property for harvesting strawberries to date. Pitzer graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Randy R. Stratton
Managing Partner
Inspired Life Technologies LLC

Randy Stratton began farming with his father and two brothers at age five near Lake Madison in South Dakota. His family raised sheep and pigs and the crops included alfalfa, corn and soybeans on a small farm. After graduating from Augustana University with a business degree, for the first few years he worked in software development as a technical writer. Then he started own public relations consulting company where the majority of clients were technology companies but also represented many companies involved with agriculture and value-added agriculture. The last 15 years, Stratton has devoted more services to organic agriculture and agri-tech companies. The last several years have been devoted to drone artificial intelligence (AI) services for larger agriculture companies. He currently serves as managing partner of the newly formed Inspired Life Technologies LLC, offering drone AI, satellite and robotics digital mapping and consulting services to medium- to large-size food and beverage companies across the globe.

Moderator: Sharon Spielman
Technical Editor
Machine Design

As Machine Design’s technical editor, Sharon Spielman, produces content for the brand’s focus audience—design and multidisciplinary engineers. Her beat includes 3D printing/additive manufacturing; CAD/CAM/CAE; automation; robotics; and CNC machining. Spielman has more than three decades of experience as a writer and editor for a range of B2B brands, including those that cover machine design; electrical design and manufacturing; interconnection technology; food and beverage manufacturing; process heating and cooling; finishing; and package converting.