Rain Bird Acquires OtO, Signaling Smart Irrigation Consolidation

Rain Bird Corporation has acquired OtO Inc., the Toronto-based maker of the solar-powered OtO Smart Sprinkler system, which won CES innovation recognition and TIME's Best Invention award in 2022. The deal exemplifies how established irrigation hardware manufacturers are now acquiring software-forward startups rather than building smart capabilities internally—a pattern that mirrors home security's transition a decade ago.