Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Agriculture

Hippo Harvest employs Zebra robots for indoor farming operations

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Hippo Harvest, a California-based controlled environment agriculture startup, has successfully integrated autonomous mobile robots from Zebra Technologies, a supply chain technology solution provider, into its indoor farming operations.

The robots have been put to use mainly to grow greens. Zebra says the robots enabling the company to “save up to 92 percent of water and use 55 percent less fertilizer than conventional produce growers”.

Hippo Harvest is using advanced plant science, machine learning, and robotics to grow leafy greens and other produce in sustainable greenhouse environments. [Read more…] about Hippo Harvest employs Zebra robots for indoor farming operations

Role of Robotic Devices in Greenhouse Farming

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Greenhouse farming brings with it the promise of greater yields and produce quality through a controlled and optimized cultivation environment.

However, it also poses unique challenges in efficiently managing various farming operations within the greenhouse facility.

This is where robotic technology comes into play, complementing human effort in automating critical tasks. [Read more…] about Role of Robotic Devices in Greenhouse Farming

iFarm launches first vertical farm in the UAE

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iFarm, a vertical farming technologies provider, announced the launch of the first vertical farm in the UAE to use iFarm technologies.

Located in Dubai, the farm will produce “ultra-fresh” produce such as leafy greens, microgreens, herbs and edible flowers. Its initial target markets are premium retail and hotel, restaurant, catering sectors.

Located just a 30-minute drive from the heart of Dubai, the vertical farm covers a growing area of 712 sq m and is expected to yield around 3 tonnes of high-quality produce per month. The farm will operate under the Mama Natura Greens brand. [Read more…] about iFarm launches first vertical farm in the UAE

Navigating the Future of Farming with Innovative Logistics Solutions

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In a time where climate change, population growth, and food security are pressing global issues, the world is desperate for solutions.

According to the United Nations, it is estimated that the global population will reach 9.7 billion people by 2050. If so, it’s necessary that agricultural production increase by at least 70% to meet the world’s nutritional needs.

As a result, the agricultural sector is undergoing a significant and needed shift. [Read more…] about Navigating the Future of Farming with Innovative Logistics Solutions

Vertical farm robot startup Seasony secures innovation grant

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Seasony, a developer of mobile robotics for vertical farming, has been awarded a grant from the Danish Innovation Foundation.

Launching in Fall 2023, this project aims to create image recognition algorithms that alert vertical farm growers to potential issues in two separate tracks.

The first track focuses on identifying poor seed germination to conserve water, energy, and nutrients from producing faulty crop. [Read more…] about Vertical farm robot startup Seasony secures innovation grant

Robotics Plus launches autonomous vehicle for orchard and vineyard production

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New Zealand-based agritech company Robotics Plus has launched Prospr, an autonomous, multi-use, hybrid vehicle designed to carry out a variety of orchard and vineyard crop tasks more efficiently and sustainably while reducing reliance on labor.

Prospr is now commercially available from Robotics Plus, a specialist in the design and build of innovative agricultural robotics.

Prospr accommodates multiple swappable tools being developed, including newly released tower sprayers for grapes, apples, or tree crops. The right tool for the job is attached to the vehicle depending on the day’s work, and multiple Prosprs can collaborate in a fleet to get the job done. [Read more…] about Robotics Plus launches autonomous vehicle for orchard and vineyard production

Rising costs, climate change and lack of automation putting pressure on farmers’ profits

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Dramatic increases in labor costs and other input, along with climate change, have put significant pressure on farmers’ profits, according to analysis from McKinsey & Company.

Farmers have reported that the cost of fertilizer and crop protection has risen by 80 to 250 percent over the past few years.

Meanwhile, a warmer climate is resulting in increased weather variability, more frequent acute weather events, longer droughts, and new invasive crops and pests, all of which reduce yields. [Read more…] about Rising costs, climate change and lack of automation putting pressure on farmers’ profits

fruitcore robotics unveils new operating system with integrated ‘AI copilot’

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fruitcore robotics, a developer of industrial automation technologies, has launched what it describes as “an innovative operating system that uses the latest AI technology”.

horstOS is designed to give industrial companies a new tool at their disposal that assists them in “every step” of commissioning entire applications with the intelligent industrial robot HORST while significantly reducing complexity.

With an integrated AI copilot, industrial companies can increase the efficiency of their production processes and save time. [Read more…] about fruitcore robotics unveils new operating system with integrated ‘AI copilot’

Summer Berry Company partners with Tortuga AgTech

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Cibus Capital says one of its portfolio companies, UK berry grower The Summer Berry Company (TSBCo), has extended its partnership with Tortuga AgTech, a provider of commercial harvesting robot fleet.

TSBCo has deployed 52 Tortuga robots in its 26 ha of glasshouses and 140 ha of polytunnels in Southwest England to harvest strawberries, provide forecasting on yields, plant health as well as providing support to their agronomists in fighting pests via UV light application.

Cibus Capital advises on investments that support sustainable agricultural production and the incorporation of disruptive technologies into its portfolio companies is pivotal to its mission. [Read more…] about Summer Berry Company partners with Tortuga AgTech

Swiss agritech startup Ecorobotix raises $52 million in new funding

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Ecorobotix, the Swiss manufacturer of ARA, an AI powered plant-by-plant recognition and a precision smart sprayer system, has completed a $52 million (CHF 46 million) funding round.

The round was jointly led by AQTON Private Equity and Cibus Capital, with additional investments from Swisscanto Invest/Swisscanto Growth Fund I, Yara Growth Ventures, Flexstone Partners, and from existing investors including Swisscom Ventures, BASF Venture Capital, 4FOX Ventures, and Verve Ventures.

The funding will accelerate Ecorobotix’s geographic expansion across new and existing markets and accelerate new product development. [Read more…] about Swiss agritech startup Ecorobotix raises $52 million in new funding