#88 Kubernetes on a Tractor: Precision Farming with K3s and Edge AI

Recorded at the Dutch Cloud Native Day, hosts Ronald Kers (CNCF Ambassador) and Jan Stomphorst (Solutions Architect at ACC ICT) dive into one of the most original edge computing use cases we’ve seen so far—running a full Kubernetes environment from the top of a tractor.

They speak with Wieneke Keller, CTO at Aurea Imaging, and Sebastian Lenartowicz, Senior Software Engineer on the TreeScout project, about how Kubernetes—specifically K3s—is transforming apple and pear orchards across Europe.

🚜 From Monolith to Microservices… on a Tractor

Aurea Imaging’s TreeScout system mounts on tractors and uses cameras, deep learning models, and high-precision GPS to scan individual trees in real time. The goal: optimize every tree’s yield by targeting only the trees that need treatment—such as blossom thinning—rather than spraying entire fields. This leads to better-sized apples and reduced waste, with significant environmental and economic benefits.

In 2023, their first field trials struggled with reliability and maintainability. A monolithic Python application in a single Docker container was hard to debug, and even small errors had major impact. Only 6 out of 40 test runs were successful. That’s when the team decided to introduce Kubernetes at the edge.

🧠 Why Kubernetes (K3s)?

With limited power and compute available on the tractor, they chose K3s, a lightweight Kubernetes distribution perfect for single-node setups. Each tractor runs a ruggedized NVIDIA Jetson, hosting microservices for computer vision, data processing, and communication. The services interact via RabbitMQ, and deployment is managed via Argo CD with OCM (Open Cluster Management), allowing over-the-air updates even on flaky 4G connections.

This setup significantly improved resilience and observability—when a critical bug appeared during a large-scale rollout in Italy, the team could diagnose and fix it within 4 hours and redeploy remotely.

🌱 Scalable, Sustainable, and Smart

TreeScout is currently in use with 25 customers and expanding internationally. Future plans include yield prediction, time series insights per tree, and even integration into smart sprayers that dynamically adjust treatment as the tractor moves.

The team discusses Kubernetes not just as a technology choice but as an enabler for sustainable, scalable agriculture. They also reflect on the broader trend of Kubernetes moving to the far edge, and how tools like K3s, Kairos, and batteries-included Kubernetes distros will be key for the future.

🌍 Final Thought: Tech with Impact

Wieneke and Sebastian share how working at the intersection of data, hardware, and sustainability is incredibly rewarding. TreeScout not only empowers farmers—it also shows how Kubernetes can contribute to a better, more precise and environmentally conscious future.

ACC ICT Specialist in IT-CONTINUÏTEIT
Bedrijfskritische applicaties én data veilig beschikbaar, onafhankelijk van derden, altijd en overal