Founded in 2020 by Rich Wurden (CTO) and Kenny Lee (CEO), US-based Aigen says it is the only agricultural technology company developing truly solar-powered autonomous robots for chemical free crop management. Weeds are controlled using a combination of electrical and mechanical solutions. Without a trace of fossil fuels, the Aigen Element robots combine LTE connectivity with the cutting edge of AI, ML, solar, and battery technology. This month the farm robotics company closed US$12 million in Series A financing. The funding expands Aigen’s manufacturing capacity to meet high pre-order demand and create a new agricultural era that is both sustainable…
Author: Matt Peskett
Matt Peskett
Matt has worked in digital publishing and media for over two decades across the science, technology, food and agricultural sectors. With a lifelong passion for growing his own food, Matt also produces 300kg giant pumpkins for exhibition and volunteers with the Royal Horticultural Society. He has a sizeable horticultural social media presence and has been a finalist in the Garden Media Guild's blog of the year and social media awards. Matt also dabbles in start-up investment with companies like Small Robot Company, Drone Ag and RootWave.
In June 2022, Continental and Dutch-Belgian technology company Octiva signed a collaboration agreement to develop autonomous mobile robotic solutions for horticultural applications. This month Continental plans to use Agritechnica (12-18 November, 2023) as a launchpad to demonstrate the progress of those robotic solutions and other non-tyre agricultural technology. At a press conference on Monday, November 13, 2023 Continental will provide more detail about its new greenhouse robot, capable of treating plants with ultraviolet light (UVC), selective harvesting and scouting activities. In partnership with Octiva, the robot is being readied for sale in 2024 and will be capable of operating multiple…
Brazil’s Embratel has announced the launch of its Smart Farm solutions platform to boost the adoption of connectivity and digital tools in agribusiness. The new solution unites state-of-the-art technologies and connectivity and was developed together with Farmers Edge, which specialises in digital agricultural solutions, to create an innovative, more sustainable and connected ecosystem to support strategic decision-making in the field. The platform includes high-resolution satellite imagery services, weather stations, telemetry, soil sampling, data processing with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, data management application, as well as support and customised training for farmers. “Through Smart Farm, Embratel works for its customers…
Drone Ag, a leading AgriTech company, recently hosted the highly anticipated event, ‘Drones and Agriculture ’23,’ at their headquarters in Northumberland. The event served as a pivotal platform for key stakeholders in the UK AgriTech industry. It aimed to converge and discuss the evolving legislation affecting drone usage in the UK, and showcase the cutting-edge drone systems that are transforming the agricultural industry worldwide. The day-long event featured a series of workshops and guest speaker sessions aimed at educating attendees on the transformative capabilities of drones. Drone Ag has rapidly gained prominence for its innovative software platform, Skippy Scout, that…
In a partnership with Heilongjiang Huida Technology Co., Ltd. – a Chinese manufacturer of agricultural drones, Mexican dealer ORBITECH will be deploying HUIDA TECH’s HD540Pro agricultural drone to the Ensanada region of Mexicali, Mexico. The drones will be used to spray nutrients and pesticides in local orchards, supporting the development of intelligent agriculture in Mexico and improving efficiency. The fruit tree mode of the drone has improved its working efficiency by up to 60 percent, while also better controlling the quantity of pesticides used, reducing material waste, and cutting down environmental pollution. “The region’s mountainous terrain posed difficulties for fruit…
Australian agtech company Agronomeye, which develops interactive 3D digital twins of farms, has been awarded a prestigious Accelerating Commercialisation grant under the AusIndustry Entrepreneurs’ Programme. The AU$750,000 grant, which will be matched by Agronomeye, will support the business to ramp up work on its key product, AgTwin™, believed to be agriculture’s first digital twin. Delivering actionable and marketable insights at the farm scale, AgTwin™ enables landowners to make decisions that drive profitability, sustainability and resilience across the landscape. Importantly, it also enables verifiable reporting to meet the needs of financiers, insurers, customers and supply chain partners. CEO and co-founder Stu…
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 labour. The vehicle is now commercially available from Robotics Plus, a specialist in the design and build of innovative agricultural robotics. Prospr accommodates multiple swappable tools that are being developed, including newly released tower sprayers for grapes, apples, or tree crops. The autonomous vehicle uses a combination of perception systems to sense the environment, enabling data-driven insights. Robotics Plus will showcase Prospr for the first time…
Verdant Robotics, is a pioneering force in sustainable farming automation, its advanced robotic technology digitises the farm at sub-millimetre scale, enabling weeds to be targeted with precision. The firm believes its multi-action, autonomous platform is the only ag robot in the U.S. market that can simultaneously weed, fertilise, and treat plants for pests and diseases – all while collecting data on each plant allowing farmers to make key decisions in real time. Less than 12 months ago the firm closed a $46.5 million Series A funding round. In its unwavering pursuit of agricultural innovation and acknowledgement of the vital role…
Apex.AI, a company that develops safety-certified software for mobility and autonomous applications, has announced a joint product development project for commercial-ready autonomous farming systems with Krone, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery and precision agricultural technology, and Lemken, a company that manufactures innovative machines for tillage, sowing and sustainable plant care. A ‘Combined Powers’ concept vehicle, featured above and developed by Krone and Lemken, is an autonomous drive unit that acts as a smart system that can plough, cultivate, sow, mow, turn and swath. Together the companies are now transitioning the concept carrier vehicle from the prototype stage to series production…
Syngenta Group has launched a global platform designed to help tackle agriculture’s most complex challenges, increase innovation and advance more sustainable agriculture. ‘Shoots by Syngenta’ will bring together academics, research institutes, start-ups, and cross-industry sectors to collaborate with Syngenta’s global network of 5,000+ scientists. The new platform will also include a start-up accelerator, providing a supportive ecosystem for early-stage companies developing new agricultural technologies. Cohorts of start-ups will enter a program connecting them with mentors, resources, and funding to accelerate their growth and impact. Additionally, the accelerator will provide early-stage companies the opportunity to pilot their technology at Syngenta’s Farm…
