{
  "dataset": "New Zealand Robotics & Intelligent Systems Tracker",
  "publisher": "Digital.nz Intelligence",
  "updated": "2026-08-24",
  "version": "1.0",
  "scope": "A selective, source-linked directory of New Zealand-founded or New Zealand-headquartered companies building physical automation, autonomous machines, robotic inspection systems or embodied intelligence. It is not a complete census, ranking, endorsement or investment recommendation.",
  "summary": {
    "verified_records": 9,
    "commercial_or_deployed": 8,
    "research_spinout_or_early_stage": 1,
    "industry_clusters": 5,
    "named_nz_centres_represented": 6
  },
  "classification": {
    "field_robotics": "Autonomous machines working in farms, orchards, vineyards or other variable outdoor environments.",
    "industrial_automation": "Robotic production, processing, logistics or materials-handling systems.",
    "inspection_and_safety": "Robots that enter hazardous, confined or difficult-to-access environments.",
    "wearable_physical_intelligence": "Connected hardware that senses, guides or coordinates living systems and physical operations.",
    "uncrewed_and_environmental_systems": "Autonomous aerial, surface or underwater platforms for sensing, intervention and monitoring."
  },
  "records": [
    {
      "company": "Robotics Plus / Yamaha Agriculture",
      "nz_centre": "Tauranga",
      "classification": "field_robotics",
      "domain": "Horticulture and forestry",
      "product": "Prospr autonomous ground vehicle, robotic packing and log-scaling systems",
      "maturity": "Commercial / global deployment",
      "ownership_signal": "Acquired by Yamaha Motor and forms part of Yamaha Agriculture",
      "evidence_status": "company-confirmed",
      "source": "https://www.roboticsplus.co.nz/"
    },
    {
      "company": "Scott Technology",
      "nz_centre": "Dunedin head office; Auckland and Christchurch operations",
      "classification": "industrial_automation",
      "domain": "Meat processing, mining, appliances, materials handling and logistics",
      "product": "Industrial automation and robotic production systems",
      "maturity": "Established commercial / global operations",
      "evidence_status": "company-confirmed",
      "source": "https://scottautomation.com/en/products"
    },
    {
      "company": "Invert Robotics",
      "nz_centre": "Christchurch-founded / global",
      "classification": "inspection_and_safety",
      "domain": "Industrial asset integrity",
      "product": "Climbing robotic inspection platforms, non-destructive testing and longitudinal asset analytics",
      "maturity": "Commercial / global deployment",
      "origin_signal": "University of Canterbury engineering spinout",
      "evidence_status": "company-confirmed",
      "source": "https://www.invertrobotics.com/"
    },
    {
      "company": "Halter",
      "nz_centre": "Auckland",
      "classification": "wearable_physical_intelligence",
      "domain": "Pasture-based farming",
      "product": "Connected smart collars and farm software for virtual fencing, herd movement and animal monitoring",
      "maturity": "Commercial / international expansion",
      "technology_signal": "Company states artificial intelligence is built into directional audio and vibration guidance; direct-to-satellite capability launched in 2026",
      "evidence_status": "company-confirmed",
      "source": "https://www.halterhq.com/en-nz/our-technology"
    },
    {
      "company": "SmartMachine / OXIN",
      "nz_centre": "New Zealand",
      "classification": "field_robotics",
      "domain": "Vineyards and orchards",
      "product": "Autonomous multi-task robotic tractor with pre-planned missions, sensors and dynamic implement control",
      "maturity": "Commercial / deployed in New Zealand and Australia",
      "deployment_signal": "Company states testing across more than 3,000 hectares",
      "evidence_status": "company-confirmed",
      "source": "https://www.oxin.nz/oxin"
    },
    {
      "company": "Techmatics Robotics",
      "nz_centre": "Christchurch",
      "classification": "inspection_and_safety",
      "domain": "Biosecurity, infrastructure, tactical and confined-space inspection",
      "product": "Under-vehicle, pipe, crawlspace and tactical surveillance robots",
      "maturity": "Commercial / government and international deployments",
      "deployment_signal": "Company publishes case studies across New Zealand and overseas government and infrastructure users",
      "evidence_status": "company-confirmed case studies",
      "source": "https://techmatics.co.nz/"
    },
    {
      "company": "AgLink",
      "nz_centre": "Nelson",
      "classification": "field_robotics",
      "domain": "Agriculture, horticulture and aquaculture",
      "product": "Custom autonomous robots, sensors, computer vision and centralised operational intelligence",
      "maturity": "Commercial engineering and deployment partner",
      "evidence_status": "company-stated capability",
      "source": "https://www.aglink.io/"
    },
    {
      "company": "MĀKI",
      "nz_centre": "Waikato",
      "classification": "uncrewed_and_environmental_systems",
      "domain": "Water infrastructure and environmental monitoring",
      "product": "Autonomous surface vessels, ROVs, water sampling, sonar mapping and monitoring systems",
      "maturity": "Commercial / field deployed",
      "deployment_signal": "Autonomous water monitoring deployed with Waikato Regional Council during 2024–2025 algae bloom events",
      "evidence_status": "company case study",
      "source": "https://www.maki.nz/case-studies/algae-bloom/"
    },
    {
      "company": "Drone Pruning Systems",
      "nz_centre": "Christchurch",
      "classification": "uncrewed_and_environmental_systems",
      "domain": "Forestry and arboriculture",
      "product": "Tool-equipped UAV systems for pruning and sampling with computer vision and pilot-assist autonomy",
      "maturity": "Research spinout / early-stage partner development",
      "origin_signal": "University of Canterbury spinout from the MBIE-funded Drones with Tools project",
      "evidence_status": "company-confirmed early-stage status",
      "source": "https://dronepruning.com/"
    }
  ],
  "market_thesis": [
    "New Zealand's strongest robotics opportunity is specialised physical AI for difficult, variable and safety-critical work—not mass-market humanoid manufacturing.",
    "Agriculture, food processing, infrastructure, forestry, water and remote operations provide local proving grounds with global relevance.",
    "The repeatable business model combines machines, software, operational data, service and overseas distribution rather than relying on one-time hardware sales.",
    "International acquisition can accelerate distribution while New Zealand retains engineering, testing and specialised manufacturing capability."
  ],
  "opportunity_architecture": {
    "future_company_submissions": "Verified company and product submissions with source links and maturity evidence.",
    "future_jobs": "Employer-posted robotics, controls, embedded systems, mechatronics, computer vision and field-operations roles.",
    "future_talent": "Profiles or expressions of interest from engineers, researchers, technicians, operators and commercialisation specialists.",
    "future_projects": "Pilot sites, research collaborations, contract engineering, distribution and investment opportunities.",
    "publication_rule": "Jobs, talent and project opportunities will be clearly separated from independently verified intelligence records."
  }
}