Articles tagged with "precision-agriculture"
Agrivoltaic Company Okovate Acquires Stanford University & Carnegie Mellon Tech Startup - CleanTechnica
Okovate Sustainable Energy, a Washington, DC-based agrivoltaic company, has acquired Fundusol, a startup that commercialized a modeling platform developed at Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University. This platform uses sophisticated data-driven technology to optimize the co-location of solar power installations and agricultural activities. Supported by The Schmidt Family Foundation, Okovate plans to integrate Fundusol’s proprietary modeling engine into its development process, enabling precise simulation of interactions between solar array designs and crop growth patterns. This acquisition positions Okovate as a technical data partner for farmers, moving beyond traditional solar project development toward enhanced precision and efficiency. The technology behind Fundusol’s platform combines the SIMulated PLant Ecosystem (SIMPLE) crop biomass model with proprietary irradiance and thermal dynamics models to project outcomes for over 60 crop types. Key features include genomic optimization using custom genetic algorithms to tailor solar panel configurations to crop light requirements, precision phenology insights to predict crop responses to microclimates created by solar
energyagrivoltaicssolar-powerprecision-agriculturedata-driven-technologyrenewable-energymodeling-platformEntering an AI-powered Vineyard
The article "Entering an AI-powered Vineyard" highlights the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on modern farming, particularly in vineyard management. Traditionally, farmers relied heavily on intuition and limited data to assess crop health and farmland conditions. However, the integration of AI technologies in this experimental vineyard enables precise data collection and analysis, allowing for more informed decision-making and optimized crop management. By leveraging AI, farmers can monitor various factors such as soil quality, weather patterns, and plant health in real-time, reducing guesswork and improving yield quality. This approach represents a significant shift towards data-driven agriculture, promising increased efficiency, sustainability, and potentially revolutionizing how farms are managed in the future. The article underscores the potential of AI to enhance agricultural productivity and resource management.
IoTagriculture-technologysmart-farmingAIdata-analyticsprecision-agriculturevineyard-managementJohn Deere strengthens agrobotics portfolio with GUSS acquisition
John Deere has acquired GUSS Automation, a California-based developer of autonomous crop sprayers, to strengthen its portfolio in agricultural robotics, particularly for high-value crops like orchards and vineyards. The acquisition follows a 2022 joint venture and allows John Deere to expand its U.S. manufacturing footprint in a key crop production region. GUSS will retain its brand, employees, and manufacturing facility, continuing to produce autonomous sprayers that can be remotely supervised, with a single operator managing up to eight machines. These sprayers use GPS, lidar, and proprietary software to enhance precision, reduce labor costs, and minimize material waste. To date, over 250 GUSS machines have been deployed globally, covering 2.6 million acres and 500,000 autonomous hours. John Deere plans to support GUSS in expanding its global reach and accelerating innovation, including integrating GUSS technology with John Deere’s precision agriculture tools like Smart Apply and using John Deere Power Systems engines starting in 2024. This acquisition is
robotagriculture-roboticsautonomous-sprayersprecision-agricultureJohn-Deerecrop-automationagroboticsHow automation and farm robots are transforming agriculture - The Robot Report
The article from The Robot Report highlights how automation and farm robots are revolutionizing agriculture by addressing the rising global food demand and labor shortages. With the world projected to need 70% more food by 2050 to feed nearly 9.7 billion people, farm automation has shifted from a luxury to a necessity. Modern agricultural robots automate critical tasks such as planting, harvesting, and weeding, while supporting sustainable farming practices. These robots, combined with satellite imagery and AI-driven analytics, enable precision agriculture that optimizes resource use, reduces waste, and minimizes environmental impact. Farm robots have evolved significantly since the late 1990s, when GPS-guided tractors first appeared. Today’s smart machinery operates with centimeter-level accuracy and real-time monitoring of soil and crop conditions. These technologies allow for precise seed placement, targeted weed removal without chemicals, and nutrient analysis to ensure optimal growth. Robotics plays a key role in precision agriculture by enabling targeted watering, fertilizing, and pest control, which lowers costs and
robotagriculturefarm-robotsautomationprecision-agricultureAIsmart-farmingChina unveils world's first autonomous robot for hybrid pollination
Chinese scientists have developed GEAIR, the world’s first AI-powered autonomous robot designed for hybrid pollination in plant breeding. Combining artificial intelligence and biotechnology, GEAIR can independently identify flowers and perform precise cross-pollination, significantly reducing the time, cost, and human error traditionally associated with hybrid breeding. This innovation promises faster breeding cycles and improved efficiency in producing high-quality crop varieties. The research team, led by Xu Cao at the Institute of Genetics and Development Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, enhanced the robot’s effectiveness by using gene editing to create male-sterile flowers, facilitating easier hybrid seed production. Integrating GEAIR with advanced farming techniques like “de novo domestication” and “speed breeding,” they established an intelligent robotic breeding factory capable of rapidly generating superior plant varieties. This technology notably advances soybean hybrid breeding in China and exemplifies the potential of combining AI, robotics, and biotechnology to revolutionize agricultural breeding practices. The study detailing this breakthrough was published in the journal Cell
robotAIbiotechnologyhybrid-pollinationprecision-agricultureautonomous-robotcrop-breeding4AG Robotics picks up $29M for mushroom harvesting robots - The Robot Report
4AG Robotics has secured CAD 40 million (approximately $29 million USD) in a Series B funding round to scale production and meet growing demand for its mushroom harvesting robots. The company’s AI-powered robotic platform, which autonomously harvests, trims, and packs mushrooms, is already deployed on farms in Canada, Ireland, and Australia, with upcoming expansions planned for the Netherlands and the U.S. Founded in 1999 as TechBrew Robotics, 4AG’s technology addresses significant labor shortages and high production costs in the mushroom industry, where harvesting can represent up to 50% of expenses. The robots integrate with existing Dutch-rack infrastructure, offering growers consistent quality, reduced labor costs, and real-time operational data. This latest funding round, led by Astanor Ventures and Cibus Capital and supported by several existing investors, brings 4AG’s total capital raised over the past two years to $57.5 million. The company plans to use the funds to expand manufacturing in British
roboticsagricultural-robotsmushroom-harvestingAI-automationprecision-agriculturerobotic-farmingrobotic-grippersTRIC Robotics raises seed funding to help farmers control pests and plant disease - The Robot Report
TRIC Robotics, a company specializing in autonomous pest and plant disease control, has raised $5.5 million in seed funding to scale its robotic solutions for specialty crop farming, beginning with strawberries—a crop known for high labor demands and heavy pesticide use. Their flagship robot, Luna, operates at tractor scale and uses ultraviolet light to destroy pests and pathogens, alongside vacuum technology to remove insects, all without chemicals. This approach aims to reduce pesticide use significantly, with pilot programs reporting up to a 70% reduction, while helping farmers meet sustainability goals and manage labor costs. The company offers its technology as a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model, which includes a data-driven platform featuring vision systems and real-time field analytics to improve farm profitability and produce chemical-free crops. TRIC Robotics has already deployed nine robots, doubling its fleet in the past year, and plans to expand operations into additional California farming regions such as Oxnard and Watsonville. The new funding, led by Version One Ventures and
robotagriculture-roboticsautonomous-robotspest-controlsustainable-farmingrobotics-as-a-serviceprecision-agriculturefarm-ng updates Amiga robot software for small, midsize farms - The Robot Report
Farm-ng has released significant updates to its Amiga modular robot software, aiming to enhance usability and accessibility for small and midsize farms. The company emphasizes its commitment to providing affordable, practical agricultural robotics solutions that empower farmers with advanced technology. Key improvements include a streamlined, grower-centric user interface (UI) that allows intuitive monitoring of robot health, easy management of implements like sprayers, and simplified operation even for users with limited technical skills. Additional enhancements feature automated implement control within farming zones, improved accuracy in hands-free navigation, and a new Job Manager tool designed to plan, save, and repeat tasks such as seeding, weeding, and spraying. This functionality aims to increase operational efficiency, reduce human error, and save time by enabling precise, hands-free work. All software updates are delivered over-the-air (OTA), allowing existing Amiga users to upgrade seamlessly without extra hardware or complex installations. Overall, these updates reinforce farm-ng’s mission to support productivity and innovation in agriculture through accessible robotics technology
roboticsagricultural-robotsfarm-automationmodular-robotsAmiga-robotprecision-agriculturerobotic-software-updates