Syngenta unveils ATLAS robot for tank-mix compatibility testing

Syngenta is launching its proprietary ATLAS (Application Technology Laboratory Automation System) robot, a system developed and refined in-house to deliver consistency and accuracy in tank-mix compatibility testing. 

This automated testing platform is designed to deliver faster, more objective and more reliable insights to ensure products meet or exceed customer handling and use expectations. 

Before products are made available to the market, ATLAS conducts extensive tank-mix compatibility testing, processing 500 to 600 combinations per month — a workload that could take up to six months to complete manually. The robot can go through the entire compatibility process, from sample preparation and mixture imagery to full sample analysis. By removing variability associated with manual assessments, ATLAS produces consistent, repeatable results that help guide product development, stewardship and technical recommendations. 

“ATLAS is another example of how Syngenta is truly innovating through all parts of our R&D process, including application technology,” said Stephanie Schwenke, turf market manager for Syngenta. “By automating and standardizing tank-mix evaluations, we can generate meaningful insights faster, reduce subjectivity and provide greater confidence for our customers’ application decisions.” 

Beyond pre-launch testing, the ATLAS robot is a critical troubleshooting tool for unexpected tank-mix challenges. When issues are difficult to replicate, ATLAS uses customer-provided water and adjuvants to simulate specific application environments. It quickly isolates problems like sedimentation, nozzle plugging and improper mixing orders. This helps Syngenta to better understand what is happening within the spray tank while building a historical testing database to support faster, data-driven troubleshooting.

“The ATLAS system is part of the broader Syngenta innovation ecosystem focused on integrating research, technology and real-world insights to support our customers across markets,” said Mark Coffelt, Ph.D., head of technical services for Syngenta Professional Solutions in North America. “It reinforces the Syngenta commitment to delivering science-backed solutions that help customers work more efficiently.” 

Watch a short behind-the-scenes video of ATLAS here.