SPS Automation
SPS Automation is a Christchurch, New Zealand-based R&D company founded in 2019 that designs bespoke airborne and ground-based robotic systems. It commercializes two precision spot-spraying agricultural drones (AC-16 and AC-70) and provides UAS maintenance services via a Jackson UAS partnership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersChristchurch, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SPS Automation does
SPS Automation is a Christchurch, New Zealand-based research and development company founded in 2019 that designs and integrates bespoke airborne and ground-based automated robotic systems. The company's core offering combines proprietary sensor-based AI with custom hardware design, supported by an in-house rapid prototyping fabrication lab equipped with CNC machines, 3D printers, a composites workshop, an electronics lab, and a machine learning facility. Its commercial product portfolio centers on two precision spot-spraying agricultural drones—the AC-16 and the AC-70—targeting farmers and agricultural operations in New Zealand. The company also provides UAS maintenance and repair services through a partnership with Jackson UAS, covering all UAV types including large RPAS, agricultural platforms, and bespoke or prototype aircraft, with support for SORA applications and operational authorisation.
The company operates with 11–50 employees led by CEO/CTO Scott Spooner and Chief Engineer Mark Bentley, alongside six additional engineers and administrative support staff. It has secured four successive annual grants from Callaghan Innovation between 2021 and 2024 totaling approximately NZ$112,281, consistent with active R&D investment but indicative of an early-stage, non-dilutive funding profile. Geographic operations are confined to New Zealand with the Jackson UAS partnership extending service coverage to both islands. Revenue model details—including pricing structure, contract terms, and recurring versus one-off sales—are not publicly disclosed, and no equity funding rounds have been reported.
SPS Automation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SPS Automation
- Legal name
- SPS Automation
- Website
- https://spsautomation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SPS Automation is a Christchurch, New Zealand-based R&D company founded in 2019 that designs bespoke airborne and ground-based robotic systems. It commercializes two precision spot-spraying agricultural drones (AC-16 and AC-70) and provides UAS maintenance services via a Jackson UAS partnership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SPS Automation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Agricultural Robotics
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Aerial Application Drones & UAS Spray Systems (AFAAADAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA), Aerial Robotics (Drones & UAV Autonomy) (HDAAAIAG), Drone/UAS Application Services (Spraying, Spreading, Seeding) (AFACAIAB)
Keywords
Where SPS Automation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Christchurch
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
SPS Automation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
SPS Automation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SPS Automation is a Christchurch-based robotics engineering company that designs, develops, and integrates bespoke airborne and ground-based automated robotic systems powered by its own sensor-based AI. Its commercial products include the AC-16 and AC-70 agricultural drones for precision spot spraying, and the company also delivers UAS maintenance and repair services in partnership with Jackson UAS, supporting all UAV types including large RPAS, agricultural platforms, and non-standard, bespoke, and experimental aircraft.
Product overview
SPS Automation is a Christchurch-based R&D company specializing in airborne and ground-based automated robotic systems. The company's product portfolio consists of two agricultural drone models—the AC-16 and AC-70—both designed for precision spot spraying applications. The offering is complemented by UAS maintenance and repair services provided in partnership with Jackson UAS, which covers all UAV types including large RPAS, agricultural platforms, and non-standard/bespoke/experimental aircraft. The company also operates an in-house rapid prototyping fabrication lab for custom robotics development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Agricultural Drones: Agricultural drone product lines including AC-16 and AC-70 models for precision spot spraying applications.
Products and services
- AC-16 Agricultural Drone Agricultural drone designed by SPS Automation for precision spot spraying applications in farming operations, as part of the company's agricultural drone product line.
- AC-70 Agricultural Drone Agricultural drone designed by SPS Automation for precision spot spraying applications in farming operations, as part of the company's agricultural drone product line.
- UAS Maintenance & Repair UAS maintenance and repair services provided in partnership with Jackson UAS throughout New Zealand, covering all UAV types including large RPAS, agricultural platforms, and non-standard, bespoke, experimental, and prototype aircraft. Includes support for independent inspections, conformity assessments, and technical evidence for SORA and operational authorisation applications.
Companies that use SPS Automation
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SPS Automation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
SPS Automation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Jackson UAScoreSPS Automation works in partnership with Jackson UAS to provide UAS maintenance and repair throughout New Zealand. Together, they are authorised and experienced in maintaining all UAV types, including large RPAS, agricultural platforms, and non-standard, bespoke, experimental, and prototype aircraft. The partnership also supports independent inspections, conformity assessments, and technical evidence for SORA and operational authorisation applications.
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SPS Automation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Skydio: US-based autonomous drone company focused on inspection, public safety, and defense. Comparable in its emphasis on autonomy/sensor-based AI and custom airframes, though targeting different verticals than SPS Automation's ag focus.
- American Robotics: Developer of fully autonomous agricultural drone systems (ScoutDrone) with FAA approvals for beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Directly comparable in targeting precision agriculture with autonomous drone solutions.
- Sentera: Provider of drone-mounted sensors and analytics tailored for agriculture. Comparable end-customer (precision ag operators) with overlapping sensor-based intelligence, though focused on sensing software rather than airframe manufacture.
- PrecisionHawk: Provides drone-based data collection and analytics for agriculture and other industries. Adjacent peer serving similar agricultural customers with drone-enabled precision services rather than manufacturing the airframes themselves.
Broad incumbents
- DJI Agriculture: Agricultural drone arm of DJI, producing the Agras series of spraying drones. Competes in the same precision spot-spraying category as SPS Automation but at massive scale with a global distribution and software ecosystem.
- Trimble Agriculture: Established precision agriculture technology provider with positioning, guidance, and analytics offerings. Overlaps with SPS Automation's agricultural customer base around precision application, but operates as a broad incumbent across the full agtech stack.
Direct peers
- XAG: Global agricultural drone manufacturer specializing in precision spraying and seeding drones. Directly comparable to SPS Automation's AC-16/AC-70 spot-spraying product line, with a similar core use case and target customer (farmers), though at vastly greater scale.
- Parrot SA: European drone manufacturer with a dedicated agriculture/precision-spraying product line (e.g., ANAFI). Comparable to SPS Automation in offering drones to agricultural end-users, though with broader consumer/prosumer portfolio reach.
- Jackson UAS: New Zealand UAS maintenance, inspection, and operational authorisation provider and SPS Automation's stated partner. Closely comparable in service offering (UAS maintenance, SORA support, bespoke aircraft work) and geographic footprint.
Regional players
- Aeronavics: New Zealand-based designer and manufacturer of commercial unmanned aerial systems. Operates in the same NZ market and shares SPS Automation's bespoke UAS engineering orientation, serving inspection, surveying, and agricultural applications.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SPS Automation social profiles
Digital presenceSPS Automation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SPS Automation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
SPS Automation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SPS Automation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SPS Automation
What does SPS Automation do?
SPS Automation is a Christchurch-based robotics engineering company that designs, develops, and integrates bespoke airborne and ground-based automated robotic systems powered by its own sensor-based AI. Its commercial products include the AC-16 and AC-70 agricultural drones for precision spot spraying, and the company also delivers UAS maintenance and repair services in partnership with Jackson UAS, supporting all UAV types including large RPAS, agricultural platforms, and non-standard, bespoke, and experimental aircraft.
Is SPS Automation a public or private company?
SPS Automation is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was SPS Automation founded?
SPS Automation was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SPS Automation based?
SPS Automation is headquartered in Christchurch, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
Who are SPS Automation's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Skydio, American Robotics, Sentera and PrecisionHawk. Broad incumbents are DJI Agriculture and Trimble Agriculture. Direct peers are XAG, Parrot SA and Jackson UAS. Aeronavics is listed as a regional player.
Does SPS Automation have an API?
No public API is recorded for SPS Automation.
What industry is SPS Automation in?
SPS Automation's product category is Agricultural Robotics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAAADAB, Aerial Application Drones & UAS Spray Systems, with a secondary code of IMABAIAA, Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones. Its SIC code is 3812.