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Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale its AI-powered LaserWeeder platform

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Carbon Robotics, a provider of AI-powered robotics to the agricultural sector, has closed $30 million in Series C financing from new lead investor Sozo Ventures along with existing investors Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Liquid2 and Voyager Capital.

The funding will be used to expand sales regions in North America, optimize and scale manufacturing, develop new software and hardware products, and launch into international markets. This latest round of financing brings Carbon Robotics’ overall funding to $67 million.

Rob Freelen, managing director of Sozo Ventures, says: “Carbon Robotics’ elegant use of AI, computer vision, robotics and lasers is the only solution that enables farmers to reduce their most expensive line item – weed control – without damaging plants or the soil. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale its AI-powered LaserWeeder platform

Fugro autonomous submarine completes geohazard site investigation activity off the coast of Suriname

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Fugro has finalised fieldwork on a site investigation programme for TotalEnergies off the north-west coast of Paramaribo in Block 58 of the Guyana-Suriname Basin, just off the coast of Suriname.

The company used its autonomous submarine for the task.

The project sits approximately 150 km offshore in water depths ranging from 60 m to 2100 m and involves acquisition and analysis of geophysical data and geotechnical soil samples. [Read more…] about Fugro autonomous submarine completes geohazard site investigation activity off the coast of Suriname

Carbon Robotics releases new autonomous weeding robot into farming industry

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Carbon Robotics, an autonomous robotics company, has unveiled its third-generation autonomous weed elimination robots.

The Autonomous Weeder uses robotics, artificial intelligence, and laser technology to safely and effectively drive through crop fields to identify, target and eliminate weeds.

Unlike other weeding technologies, the robots utilize high-power lasers to eradicate weeds through thermal energy, without disturbing the soil. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics releases new autonomous weeding robot into farming industry

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

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

Connected avocado helps farmer cut costs by 75 per cent

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Farmer slashes water consumption by three-quarters at IoT connected avocado farm 

Avocado trees which are monitored around the clock and get irrigated only when needed are enabling a farmer to make dramatic costs savings. 

The farmer uses the internet of things (IoT) to reduce water consumption by 75 per cent and gets put under utility surveillance for suspected meter tampering as a result. 

The IoT is destined to touch every aspect of human endeavour making factories smarter, supply chains intelligent and now farms such as the first connected avocado farms, saving farmers vast amounts of water in growing avocados in the process.  [Read more…] about Connected avocado helps farmer cut costs by 75 per cent

Robots from Mars to help reduce the environmental impact of farming

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Martian robots – or more accurately, robot technology designed for use on Mars – could help improve crop yields on Earth, according to researchers. 

A system developed originally to explore Mars has been transformed into an agricultural monitoring device for testing the quality of soil. It has the potential to reduce the environmental impact of farming.

The device consists of a mobile rover platform with a robotic arm which carries a soil sensing instrument. It is based on technology developed by the UK-based Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (STFC RAL) Space, and will be used in a new project being run by a team at the University of Strathclyde.  [Read more…] about Robots from Mars to help reduce the environmental impact of farming

SSL developing robotic sample handling assembly for NASA Mars 2020 Project

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ssl mars-surface

Space Systems Loral (SSL) says it will design and build a robotic Sample Handling Assembly (SHA) for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) through MDA US Systems, a division of MDA, managed by SSL.

The arm will be used on a rover vehicle exploring Mars to process and store samples acquired from the planet’s surface.

“Our space-proven technology positions SSL well to help support JPL’s robotic space exploration activities,” said Nick Zello, director, emerging markets operations.

“As an industry partner we bring cost-effective solutions and a highly responsive and flexible environment to assist NASA in its mission to bring the world new insights and discoveries.” [Read more…] about SSL developing robotic sample handling assembly for NASA Mars 2020 Project