Robotics & Automation News

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agricultural

Sales of US cotton-harvesting machinery to China increase by 4,000 percent

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Sales of US-manufactured cotton-harvesting machinery to China have increased by 4,000 percent, according to a report on the South China Morning Post website.

The news outlet says its own analysis shows that the increase in April of this year was “more than 4,000 percent” when compared with the same month last year.

The main reason for the dramatic increases, says the SCMP, is the possible threat of US sanctions against China which might make it impossible to import hi-tech goods. [Read more…] about Sales of US cotton-harvesting machinery to China increase by 4,000 percent

Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

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Robotics and artificial intelligence will drive a deep and transformative change in the agricultural world during the coming decades, according to a new report by IDTechEx.

Seeing, localising, and taking plant-specific intelligent action are no longer the exclusive realm of humans, says the research company.

Machines have demonstrated the technical viability and the emphasis has long shifted to the finer details of return on investment, reliability, business model, and so on. [Read more…] about Agricultural robots and AI: A question of when and not if

Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

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Denso, one of the world’s largest advanced automotive technology suppliers, has invested in Certhon Group, a developer and builder of automated greenshouses.

Certhon operated mainly in Europe and the United States and will collaborate with Denso to expand its horticulture business in the global market, specifically by developing and providing automated greenhouse solutions.

While food demand increases as the global population continues to grow, the number of the agricultural population is decreasing due to demographic aging, unstable wages, and strict work environment. [Read more…] about Denso invests in automated greenhouse provider Certhon Group

Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

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Agriculture in the future will see increasing use of scientifically precise farming techniques, where automated “agro-bots” monitor, treat and work the land, using advanced technology designed to help maximise yields and minimise disease. 

With its extensive experience in automation and agricultural mechanisation, agritech specialist Yanmar is now showing the way in advanced field robotics research.

Time for change in our changing times?

It’s hard to think of a more important economic sector than agriculture. This is an industry that directly affects the lives of everyone the world over, despite being beset by challenges from all sides.

Changes in temperature and precipitation are influencing crop yields; farmers and agricultural workers are directly exposed to the effects of weather extremes, while millions more in food-related jobs are already feeling the impact of our changing climate. [Read more…] about Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

Robotics Plus named in top 50 agritech companies list

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Robotics Plus, an agricultural production automation company, has been named in the Thrive Top 50, an annual ranking of leading global AgTech companies exemplifying the best in agriculture innovation.

Robotics Plus, the only New Zealand company to make the 2020 Top 50 ranking, was just one of five companies featured in the Robotics & Automation category.

Robotics Plus CEO Dr Matt Glenn says it’s a “huge honour” to receive a coveted spot on Thrive’s Top 50 global list. [Read more…] about Robotics Plus named in top 50 agritech companies list

Naïo Technologies raises €14 million for farm robot business

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Startup company Naïo Technologies has raised €14 million in a new funding round to develop and expand its farming robots business.

After a first round of €3 million in 2015, the French start-up Naïo Technologies specialized in agricultural robots, announces the closing of a €14 million funding round led by Bpifrance.

Impact investor Pymwymic and Codema and its historical shareholders, Demeter and Capagro, flanked Bpifrance in this investment round. [Read more…] about Naïo Technologies raises €14 million for farm robot business

Yamaha looking to invest in vertical farming companies

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Yamaha’s agricultural technology investments leader says he is observing the vertical farming market with a view to backing startups in the sector. (See video below.)

In a wide-ranging interview with Robotics and Automation News, Nolan Paul, partner, global agricultural technology lead at Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley, says he finds vertical farming

“Vertical farming is one of those technologies which has the ability to transform the way food is grown and consumed,” says Paul. [Read more…] about Yamaha looking to invest in vertical farming companies

Samsung moves into the vertical farming market

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Agricultural innovations are essential for feeding our ever-growing global population.

Especially these days, as industrialisation and global warming continue to negatively affect soil fertility and reduce the amount of arable land.

According to the United Nations, the world’s population is set to reach 9.8 billion by 2050.

[Read more…] about Samsung moves into the vertical farming market

Robotics technology for picking farm produce

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By Nandini Kranti 

The use of robotics technology in industrial systems is quite common, but in the agricultural sector, robotics and automation technology still retains a novelty and fascination, and is still to make a widespread impact on labor-intensive tasks.

The discussion on man versus machine has come too far. Artificial intelligence was the key addition that tipped scales in favor of the latter. Precise and iterative line functions in industrial processes are handled by well-programmed robots.

Material handling is seldom an issue in this setup since a great deal of customization goes into each design in the pre-installation phase.  [Read more…] about Robotics technology for picking farm produce

Market for agricultural robots and drones to grow to $10 billion, says report

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english-aerial-landscape

The market for robots and drones in the agricultural sector is predicted to grow to $10 billion by 2022, according to a new study. 

The report by IDTechEx Research, Agricultural Robots and Drones 2016-2026: Technologies, Markets and Players, says there is already a $3 billion market in 2016, and will rise to $10 billion by 2022.

Some of the promising technologies that are available to help farmers increase yield without negative environmental factors, are to be discussed at a NIAB and Agri-Tech East event – Innovations for Sustainable Intensification, on 14 September in Cambridge, UK.  [Read more…] about Market for agricultural robots and drones to grow to $10 billion, says report