The group’s board, as of November 2023, from left to right, back row: Dr. Sue Keay (chair), Brenton Cunningham, Christian Ruberg, Tim Bradley, Dr. Nathan Kirchner; front row: Dr. John Vial, Tamanna Monem, Kathie van Vugt, Nicci Rossouw, Angus Robinson. Source: Robotics Australia Group

The robotics industry in Australia stands at the precipice of a transformative era, driven by a shared vision of sustainability and innovation. At the forefront of this movement is the Robotics Australia Group, an organization committed to nurturing a comprehensive robotics ecosystem.

From companies developing cutting-edge robotic technologies to educational institutions cultivating future talent, the group supports all facets of this burgeoning industry. Its mission aligns with the broader national objectives, as recently underscored by the Australian government’s National Robotics Strategy.

National Robotics Strategy points the way to innovation

Ed Husic, MP and the minister for industry and science, recently announced the National Robotics Strategy. It marks a significant milestone for the Australian robotics sector, said the Robotics Australia Group.

“The strategy not only highlights the current achievements, but also lays a robust foundation for future developments,” stated Dr. Nathan Kirchner, founding director of the group. “It is a call to industry stakeholders to collaborate and drive forward this ambitious vision.” 

This strategy aims to accelerate the adoption of robotics and automation technologies across various industries, a move that is integral to the broader vision of a “Future Made in Australia.” The strategy is imbued with optimism, promising substantial advancements and positioning Australia as a leader in robotics innovation on the global stage.

Minister Husic’s declaration signaled the Australian government’s commitment to harnessing the potential of robotics to address the country’s unique challenges.

Some examples of the world-leading field robotics delivered by group members. Source: Robotics Australia Group

Minister recognizes Robotics Australia contributions

The group said its contributions have been instrumental in shaping the current landscape of the Australian robotics industry. During his announcement of the National Robotics Strategy, Husic acknowledged its sustained efforts, active participation in the development of the strategy, the contributions made through publishing Australian Robotic Roadmaps, and continued advocacy.

“We have deep pockets of robotics excellence in Australia, we will become greatly more competitive on the world stage by joining them together,” said Kirchner. “The National Robotics Strategy is a significant step towards that. I am very proud that the underpinning groundwork of the Robotics Australia Group has been recognized.”

The organization has worked to support various stakeholders within the ecosystem. By fostering collaborations, facilitating research and development, and promoting educational initiatives, it said it has created a fertile ground for the robotics industry to thrive. The group added that it is working to ensure that the benefits of robotics and automation are accessible to a broad range of industries and applications.

Robotics provides Australia a strategic advantage

”We have overcome the core challenges of a very large land and sparsely populated country in order to deliver a number of notable outcomes,” said Kirchner. “Nevertheless, through doing so, we have developed a significant strategic advantage in the field hard robotics” 

Australia’s geographical and demographic characteristics make it an ideal candidate for pioneering advanced robotics, asserted the group. The country’s vast landmass, coupled with a relatively small and dispersed population, creates a unique set of challenges that robotics can effectively address. Remote areas often require complex tasks to be completed, and robots can significantly enhance efficiency and safety in these environments.

Moreover, Australia boasts a remarkable depth of local talent and expertise in both hardware and software aspects of robotics, said the organization.

Industries such as mining, ports, transport and logistics, construction, agriculture, and defense have long benefited from Australia’s field-hardened robotics intellectual property, the group added. This robust foundation of expertise and innovation positions Australia to leverage robotics in solving critical problems and improving operational efficiencies across these sectors, it said.

One of the cutting-edge manufacturing installations developed by Applied Robotics, a group member. Source: Robotics Australia Group

Sector celebrates wins and looks ahead

“The announcement of the National Robotics Strategy is an exciting and commendable first step,” said the group. “However, it is essential to recognize that this is merely the beginning. The path to a fully realized, sustainable robotics industry in Australia requires continued effort and focus. While we celebrate this significant achievement, it is crucial to remain vigilant and committed to solidifying these initial steps to ensure long-term progress.”

The future of robotics in Australia holds immense potential, it noted. By using the momentum generated by the National Robotics Strategy, the nation’s industry can aspire to new heights on the global stage. This requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders to foster an environment conducive to innovation, collaboration, and international exchange, the group said.

“With the National Robotics Strategy as a guiding framework, Australia is poised to become a global leader in robotics and automation,” said Kirchner.

This vision can only be realized through collective effort and a strategic approach to international collaboration. By establishing a bi-directional conduit for deep commercial exchange in robotics and AI, Australia can position itself at the forefront of technological innovation.

The future success of the robotics industry hinges on the ability to integrate advanced technologies into practical applications that address real-world challenges. The group said that it and other industry stakeholders must continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that support research, development, and the commercialization of robotics technologies.

“The commitment of the Robotics Australia Group to building a sustainable robotics industry in Australia is both inspiring and crucial,” Kirchner said. “Their efforts, coupled with the strategic direction provided by the National Robotics Strategy, pave the way for a future where robotics and automation play a central role in addressing the nation’s unique challenges. By celebrating current achievements and maintaining a steadfast focus on future goals, Australia can achieve remarkable advancements in the robotics industry.”

In this journey, it is essential to remain proactive, collaborative, and visionary. With a collective effort, the vision of a “Future Made in Australia” powered by advanced robotics is not just a dream, but also an imminent reality. The group is currently spearheading the production of the third edition of the Robotics Roadmap for Australia, scheduled for release in 2025.

“Together, we can propel Australia to new heights of innovation and global leadership in the robotics sector,” said the group.

About the author

Dr. Nathan G.E. Kirchner is a serial startup founder and advisor, corporate ventures advisor, professor, and founding director of a peak body. He has been recognized as one of “Australia’s Most Innovative” by Engineers Australia and one of the “Top Ten Young Scientists” by Popular Science magazine.

With over 25 years in industry and academia, Kirchner has founded and led several robotics-AI startups, and he serves as a founding director of the Robotics Australia Group. Kirchner is also a venture partner at a leading hardware-first venture capital firm.

He has held prestigious positions such as head of robotics at a major construction company and at Stanford University, the University of Technology Sydney, and Ohio State University.

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The Pik’r ball-picking robot at the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Source: Korechi Innovations

While the 124th U.S. Open is all about human talent, skill, and composure under competitive pressure, robots are finding their place. As golfers practice their drives on the newly converted Cradle 9-hole course at Pinehurst Resort, the new Pick’r robot from Korechi Innovations Inc. is safely and efficiently retrieving balls.

Korechi said the Pick’r-1500 is designed for rugged terrain. It features a durable steel frame and a thick stainless-steel shell to ensure operations in the harsh conditions of a professional practice range.

The Pick’r-1500 includes advanced GPS technology and can collect thousands of golf balls daily, providing a constant supply for players, said the Oshawa, Ontario-based company.

Pik‘r promises efficiency and sustainability

Korechi Innovations said it introduced the Pik‘r-1500 at the U.S. Open to highlight its capacity and reliability. The robot‘s lightweight design, paired with a long-lasting battery, allows for all-day operation, minimizing disruptions to practice sessions, according to the company.

Not only can the autonomous ball retriever reduce the need for workers to recover balls, but it can also significantly cut down on operational costs and environmental impact, operating on less than $1 of electricity per day, said Korechi. As golf facilities worldwide face staffing shortages, the Pik‘r offers a sustainable solution to the labor-intensive task of range picking.

By automating ball retrieval, staff can focus on enhancing guest experiences and other value-added services. This shift also aligns with the growing trend towards sustainable practices in sports management, Korechi said.

About Korechi Innovations

Korechi Innovations designs and manufactures autonomous robots for agricultural and sports applications. Since its entry into the golf industry in 2019, the company said it has deployed Pik‘r across North America, retrieving millions of balls at major golf facilities.

As the U.S. Open continues in North Carolina, Korechi said it is demonstrating to golf industry professionals and enthusiasts the future of golf range management through the the Pik‘r-1500’s performance and reliability.

The post Korechi Innovations Pik’r-1500 robot retrieves golf balls at the U.S. Open appeared first on The Robot Report.

The 2023 CyberTractor Challenge included a large number of participants. | Credit: CyberTractor Challenge

This week, top tractor manufacturers in the United States, including John Deere, CNHI, and AGCO, will hold the annual CyberTractor Challenge. This event encourages college students to try to breach the security of both the firms’ cloud-based solutions and physical hardware such as tractors, smart tools, and different IoT devices.

The CyberTractor Challenge is a five-day event aimed at students passionate about cybersecurity. It provides a platform for practical experience and professional guidance. During the event, industry experts emphasize the importance of diversity, hands-on experience, and professional mentorship. They also highlight the convergence of technology and agriculture, underlining the need for professionals with expertise in both fields. This event addresses the significant shortage of cyber talent and showcases the potential synergy between cybersecurity and agriculture, given the complexity of modern agricultural equipment.

Earlier this year, John Deere announced a new partnership with SpaceX and Starlink to bring high-speed internet to rural areas around the world to help connect all of the various smart devices on the modern farm to the cloud.

CyberTractor Challenge expands beyond John Deere

John Deere started the CyberTractor Challenge in 2022 as a sister event to the more well-known CyberTruck and CyberAuto challenges. College and university students gather on a real farm in Iowa to work with real equipment and real cybersecurity and engineering professionals. As the idea for CyberTractor grew, the challenge’s goals and scope changed from just focusing on the famous green and yellow tools to including peers from the industry. CyberTractor Challenge is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and aims to enhance the overall security of the agtech industry.

“Industry experts, professors, and tractor company employees will be guiding them every step of the way,” said Ethan Luebbering, director of recruiting for the CyberTractor Challenge. “Our plan is to prepare them with all the skills and tools they need to be effective during the event and all of the experiences required to start a career in Cyber Security.”

The primary goals of the CyberTractor Challenge are:

• Educating students about cybersecurity in the agriculture industry through hands-on learning and expert training.
• Attracting and developing the next generation of cybersecurity talent for the agriculture industry.
• Fostering collaboration between universities and agriculture companies on cybersecurity issues.
• Identifying potential vulnerabilities in agricultural equipment and systems through a hackathon-style event.

Throughout the event, students gain knowledge in embedded software engineering and protocols like CANbus used in modern agricultural equipment. Working with industry professionals from the tractor companies, students learn cybersecurity topics such as penetration testing and red teaming techniques for finding vulnerabilities.

Many modern tractors and smart implements could be considered robots, sitting at the intersection of technology and agriculture. This weeklong hackathon provides the students with real-life, hands-on skills for identifying potential bugs or vulnerabilities. The companies benefit by identifying any vulnerabilities in a controlled environment, and farmers benefit because the agtech solutions are hardened against nefarious vulnerabilities.

Register now.

The event attracts students from universities across the country with interests in fields such as electrical engineering, computer science, and cybersecurity. The organizers also recruit professors from partner universities who teach cybersecurity courses and help educate the students. Participating institutions include Iowa State, Colorado State, and Dakota State University. Employees from the sponsoring agriculture companies conduct educational sessions, interact with the students, and evaluate any findings.

A weeklong hackathon

The week-long event kicks off with two days of educational sessions where industry experts and hackers teach students about embedded systems, protocols, and penetration testing techniques. Over the next two days, students apply their knowledge to develop hypotheses and test for potential vulnerabilities in the equipment in a hackathon-style setting. On the final day, students present any bugs or vulnerabilities they have discovered to the sponsoring companies.

Key outcomes of the CyberTractor Challenge include:

• Identifying potential vulnerabilities in agricultural equipment cybersecurity.
• Attracting and developing top cybersecurity talent for the agriculture industry by exposing students to career opportunities.
• Fostering collaboration and information sharing between universities and agriculture companies on cybersecurity best practices.
• Advancing cybersecurity standards and regulations for the agriculture industry through discussions among participating organizations.
• Building awareness of the importance of cybersecurity in agriculture and attracting diverse talent beyond traditional IT fields.
• Providing hands-on, experiential learning for students that complements their academic studies.

Catch up with the latest in agricultural autonomy on The Robot Report Podcast. Chris Padwick discusses John Deere’s use of machine vision and AI in episode 149, and Marc Kermisch from CNHI talks about digitization and autonomy in agriculture on episode 138.

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FarmWise is an agtech company pushing the boundaries of automation in agriculture by harnessing the power of computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI). Its flagship product, the Vulcan precision weeding implement, is designed to optimize weed control management on vegetable farms in California, which have been slow to automate due to the complex and versatile nature of specialty crop farming.

By combining cutting-edge technology with custom-built components, FarmWise enhances efficiency, increases crop yields, and addresses labor shortages with a high-accuracy and fully mechanized process to remove weeds.

FarmWise won an RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for the weeding system in 2021 and will be speaking at RoboBusiness, which runs Oct. 16-17 in Santa Clara, Calif.

Vulcan Automated Weeding System

The Vulcan intra-row weeding implement is FarmWise’s answer to the challenges posed by weed competition in vegetable farms. Weeds can adversely impact crop yield by competing for essential resources such as water, light, and nutrients. Traditional cultivation methods, combined with hand weeding, are labor-intensive and costly, especially in regions like California where labor shortages and rising wages are prevalent.

FarmWise’s Vulcan Automated Weeding System is a pull-behind solution focused on in-season weed control management. The system leverages computer vision and AI to address three key challenges associated with weed removal:

• Precision
• Labor
• Herbicides

Traditional cultivation is imprecise. It either leaves some weeds or only partially removes weeds in between rows of plants. Such cultivators are also cumbersome and error-prone due to a lack of automation and precision control that can lead to mistakes such as crop kills.

Hand weeding is more precise, but it requires time-consuming, physically challenging, and repetitive manual labor that is also expensive for producers. Chemically suppressing weeds has been the most common, efficient, and cost-effective method for controlling weeds in row crops. Using herbicides is becoming less attractive for two major reasons: a shortage of herbicides on the market and the environmental call for farmers to use more sustainable weed control methods.

The Vulcan intra-row weeding implement accurately detects and differentiates crops from weeds, allowing for precision weed removal without damaging crops. This level of precision saves farmers up to $250 per acre, maximizes yield potential, and minimizes the need for expensive manual labor.

Key challenges and customization with PBC linear slides

One of the major challenges FarmWise faced was developing a system capable of adapting to the variety of crops, bed spacings, row spacings, and soil morphologies found on vegetable farms. Compared to corn farming in the Midwest, which has undergone significant automation, vegetable farming in California remains labor-intensive due to its complexity.

To meet this need, FarmWise leveraged advancements in deep learning and precision control software to develop Vulcan, which features a perception module combined with an actuator to perform consistent intra- and inter-row weeding at row level across a diverse portfolio of crops.

The weeder module has two translation axes, including a hydraulic z-axis actuator, allowing it to move up to a dozen inches or so vertically. A feeler wheel arrangement locates the weeder module relative to the crop surface and informs it of changes in the bed’s topology. The balance between automation and user control, however, was critical to the success of this application, according to FarmWise senior mechanical engineer David Olivero.

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“While the goal is to maximize automation, we acknowledge the farmers’ expertise,” Olivero explains. “Farmers understand the optimal depth for weeder blades to effectively remove weeds while avoiding root damage, and we wanted to empower farmers by allowing them to adjust blade depth according to their preference for deeper, more effective weeding or shallower weeding to protect crop roots.

To achieve this flexibility and reach in the z-axis, FarmWise specified UGA Low Profile Uni-Guide with a custom-positioned hand brake from PBC Linear. Up to 18 of these slides, located at the back of the implement, add a few inches of vertical travel. This addition extends bed capabilities and accommodates varying soil types. The slides offer a robust and customizable solution to adjust the system’s height, enabling it to cater to various farm configurations and terrains.

“We appreciated PBC Linear’s customization platform, which allowed them to create a slide with a specific mount offset tailored to our unique requirements,” says Olivero. “The low-profile design of the slides was vital to reduce the cantilever length of the weeder module, mitigating the risk of transport shock during field-to-field movement. PBC Linear’s reputation for quality products and ease of customization made them a preferred choice.”

A comparison of weeds on a farm before and after using FarmWise’s Vulcan weeding robot. | Credit: FarmWise

Role of computer vision and AI

Central to the Vulcan precision weeding implement’s success is the computer vision and AI in the FarmWise Intelligent Plant System (IPS) Scanner. The IPS Scanner integrates lighting with the camera sensor via a custom LED board. This package enables the capturing of consistent, high-resolution images at a high frame-per-second rate. The data immediately flows through the IPS pipeline, detecting and localizing each plant in real time.

Sophisticated detection models were developed by gathering a vast number of images and annotating them to accurately distinguish between individual crops and weeds. Using these detection models, the system determines the position of crops and the location of every crop stem and makes precise decisions on blade openings and adjustments.

As the system traverses the field, it makes micro-adjustments to ensure the highest quality weed removal. The actuation engine, controlled by the software, opens and closes the weeding blades as needed to clean the intra-row, or in between the crops located on the same line. In addition to the weeding blades that are connected to the actuator, the precision weeding implement includes a set of top knives that simultaneously clean the inter-row surface area between the rows of crops.

Operator interface and user control

FarmWise provides an operator interface mounted in the cab of the equipment. This touch screen–based interface enables the operator to set up and verify the system’s configuration for specific crop and field conditions. The operator can adjust precision, blade widths, and other parameters to achieve the desired results. The interface also offers diagnostics and feedback to fine-tune the system’s performance.

FarmWise’s Vulcan intra-row weeding implement represents a significant step forward in precision agriculture. By providing a tailored solution to weed control management, the system optimizes yield potential, reduces labor costs, and minimizes the need for harmful herbicides.

Through ongoing advancements in computer vision technology and machine learning algorithms, FarmWise continues to push the boundaries of automation in agriculture, offering farmers innovative tools to meet the challenges of modern farming. The collaboration with PBC Linear illustrates the importance of partnerships in developing tailored solutions that drive progress in the agricultural sector.

The post Inside the development of FarmWise’s weeding robot appeared first on The Robot Report.

TerraClear is expanding partnerships with OEMs to make its technology more accessible. | Credit: TerraClear

TerraClear has received a significant boost in its path to commercialization with an additional $15 million in funding from its existing investors. According to Crunchbase, the company has raised $53.4 million in funding since its founding in 2017.

In 2023, TerraClear solved the mechanical and software challenges of locating and removing rocks from farmland. The solution uses a combination of aerial drone imaging and autonomous rock pickers to find and remove rocks from the field.

In its next phase of development, the company’s primary goal is to make these autonomous solutions accessible to all farmers, where the product pitch centers on improved efficiency and cost reduction. With the additional funding, TerraClear has plans to expand its commercial sales operation, strengthen its distribution partnerships, and further develop the robotic rock management technology.

Currently, the company is primarily focused on America’s heartland, where farmers of all sizes are experiencing the process of rock clearance for the first time. There is also interest from Europe, Australia, and Canada.

According to the company, new customers using the Rock Map and TC80 technology provide entertainment for the entire family during the rock-picking operations. TerraClear is providing a unique solution for a problem that has persisted for 5,000 years.

Farmers enthralled by a product demo in their fields

The farmers are “show me” customers. Most new clients are willing to commit 400-500 acres to a rock management pilot demonstration. According to the company, most customers are quick to ask to clear another 2000+ acres.

“Labor savings is huge. We took our crew of nine people down to one person. And it took just one week versus two weeks before,” said Minnesota farmer Jacob Ebeling. Iowa farmer Lance Lillibrige said, “It saved us a lot of time and a lot of money. And not just savings on labor, but savings from less equipment damage too.”

“Our success is in developing innovative yet practical solutions that solve farmers’ problems,” said Trevor Thompson, president of TerraClear. “The additional funds enable us to move faster to meet demand, as well as increase investment in strategic OEM partnerships, and advance our technology.”

The go-to market for the company is primarily through distributors, ag retailers, and service providers that have established relationships in the farming communities. The solution is also offered as a service, enabling the local service providers to expand their offerings with their local communities.

TerraClear is a 2022 RBR50 honoree for its innovation in autonomous rock picking.

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Carbon Robotics Laserweeder is a smart implement that autonomously destroys weeds. | Credit: Carbon Robotics

Seattle-based Carbon Robotics has raised new funding for its Laserweeder smart implement that autonomous controls weeds on farms. The new investment comes from NVentures, NVIDIA’s venture capital arm.

Financial details of this latest deal were not released. However, Carbon Robotics closed a Series C round in April 2023 and has raised a total of $74 million to date since it was founded in 2018, according to Crunchbase.

Lasers instantly kill weeds

At the heart of the solution is a high-powered laser that vaporizes unwanted weeds from a farmer’s field. The Carbon Robotics LaserWeeder uses 24 NVIDIA GPUs to process the images of plants in the ground in real-time while identifying weeds from crops. The laser then applies light energy to the unwanted plants, killing them instantly. The entire solution is deployed as a “smart implement” and pulled behind a tractor through the field.

Growers can use the solution periodically through the early growing season to reduce the weed pressure from the field and enable crops to thrive.

Carbon Robotics said the LaserWeeder processes 4.7 million high-resolution images per hour and can eradicate 5,000 weeds per minute with sub-millimeter precision. The company also said its agricultural image dataset consists of 25 million labeled plants and more than 30,000 crop and weed models. The LaserWeeder also captures real-time metrics on crops and weeds and sends them to the cloud, providing farmers with actionable visual insights into their field farming operations at any time, from anywhere.

AI foundation models for Agtech

Carbon Robotics CEO Paul Mikesell told The Robot Report “we can deploy the LaserWeeder into a new field, in a new region, run it over a few acres of land and within 24 hrs, train a new model specific for crop and weeds common to the region”.

“We’ve built and innovated in the world of foundation models for plant identification,” he added. “We built the [AI] model from the ground up. So if you want to think about it that way, it is the foundation model for agricultural plant identification. This is enabling the company to quickly expand globally into new regions, and will be a key use of the additional funding [from NVentures].”

Carbon Robotics is growing

Mikesell said Carbon Robotics grew its revenue 3x YoY and is on pace to continue the revenue growth as the company matures the product and begins to produce the LaserWeeder in higher volumes. The company is expanding its sales and channel network to support new customers in new regions.

“AI and advanced robotics have immense potential in addressing the myriad of challenges present in agriculture,” said Mohamed Siddeek, corporate vice president and head of NVentures. “Carbon Robotics’ innovative solution improves farming practices to increase sustainability and improve the quality of produce available to consumers.”

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Chinese and U.S. companies led March 2024 robotics investments. Credit: Eacon Mining, Dan Kara

Thirty-seven robotics firms received funding in March 2024, pulling in a total monthly investment of $642 million. March’s investment figure was significantly less than February’s mark of approximately $2 billion, but it was in keeping with other monthly investments in 2023 and early 2024 (see Figure 1, below).

California companies secure investment

As described in Table 1 below, the two largest robotics investments in March were secured by software suppliers. Applied Intuition, a provider of software infrastructure to deploy autonomous vehicles at scale, received a $250 million Series E round, while Physical Intelligence, a developer of foundation models and other software for robots and actuated devices, attracted $70 million in a seed round. Both firms are located in California.

Other California firms receiving substantial rounds included Bear Robotics, a manufacturer of self-driving indoor robots that raised a $60 million Series C round, and unmanned aerial system (UAS) developer Firestorm, whose seed funding was $20 million. For a PDF version of Table 1, click here.

March 2024 robotics investments

Drones get fuel for takeoff in March 2024

Providers of drones, drone technologies, and drone services also attracted substantial individual investments in March 2024. Examples included Firestorm and Gather AI, a developer of inventory monitoring drones whose Series A was $17 million.

In addition, drone services provider Preneu obtained $11 million in Series B funding, and DRONAMICS, a developer of drone technology for cargo transportation and logistics operations, got a grant worth $10.8 million.

Companies in U.S. and China received the majority of the March 2024 funding, at $451 million and $100 million, respectively (see Figure 2, below).

Companies based in Japan and the U.K. were also well represented among the March 2024 investment totals. Four companies in Japan secured a total of $34.7 million, while an equal number of firms in the U.K. attracted $13.5 million in funding.

Nearly 40% of March’s robotics investments came from a single Series E round — that of Applied Intuition. The remaining funding classes were all represented in March 2024 (Figure 3, below).

Editor’s notes

What defines robotics investments? The answer to this simple question is central in any attempt to quantify them with some degree of rigor. To make investment analyses consistent, repeatable, and valuable, it is critical to wring out as much subjectivity as possible during the evaluation process. This begins with a definition of terms and a description of assumptions.

Investors and investing

Investment should come from venture capital firms, corporate investment groups, angel investors, and other sources. Friends-and-family investments, government/non-governmental agency grants, and crowd-sourced funding are excluded.

Robotics and intelligent systems companies

Robotics companies must generate or expect to generate revenue from the production of robotics products (that sense, analyze, and act in the physical world), hardware or software subsystems and enabling technologies for robots, or services supporting robotics devices. For this analysis, autonomous vehicles (including technologies that support autonomous driving) and drones are considered robots, while 3D printers, CNC systems, and various types of “hard” automation are not.

Companies that are “robotic” in name only, or use the term “robot” to describe products and services that do not enable or support devices acting in the physical world, are excluded. For example, this includes “software robots” and robotic process automation. Many firms have multiple locations in different countries. Company locations given in the analysis are based on the publicly listed headquarters in legal documents, press releases, etc.

Verification

Funding information is collected from several public and private sources. These include press releases from corporations and investment groups, corporate briefings, market research firms, and association and industry publications. In addition, information comes from sessions at conferences and seminars, as well as during private interviews with industry representatives, investors, and others. Unverifiable investments are excluded and estimates are made where investment amounts are not provided or are unclear.

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Jennifer Apicella (left) of the PRN and Fady Saad (right) of Cybernetix Ventures have announced a strategic partnership. | Source: Pittsburgh Robotics Network

Cybernetix Ventures yesterday announced a strategic partnership with the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. The early-stage venture capital firm said it is part of its long-term robotics cluster engagement efforts. 

The partnership is a joint initiative to set Pittsburgh’s robotics startups up for success, and bring more of the cluster’s investable robotics opportunities to global markets. The Pittsburgh Robotics Network (PRN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in southwestern Pennsylvania. 

“The Pittsburgh Robotics Network is one of the top robotics clusters in the U.S., with a powerhouse team and strong robotics innovators emerging,” stated Fady Saad, founder and general partner of Cybernetix Ventures. “Like our firm, the PRN is focused on markets-driven, actionable, scalable use cases for robotics. We are excited to amplify their efforts and connect the cluster further with the larger investment community.”

Founded in 2021, Cybernetix focuses on robotics, automation, and industrial AI investments. The venture capital firm works with robotics clusters around the world to elevate the most promising robotics founders and startups to the global stage. 

Cybernetix expands robotics focus

Cybernetix aims to connect the PRN’s startups with the firm’s diverse ecosystem of potential customers, later-stage investors, financial institutions, and acquirers. The company will join forces with the PRN as a Leader Premier Partner to provide advice to startups. 

“Cybernetix Ventures is a premier investment firm for robotics, and this partnership represents a unique opportunity for not only robotics companies, but for accelerating the commercial adoption of robotics solutions overall,” added Jennifer Apicella, executive director of the PRN.

“Both Cybernetix Ventures and the PRN share a set of aligned values that promise to bring significant benefits to robotics companies on the path to commercialization,” she said. “We admire their unique expertise and understanding of how robotics will directly contribute to the advancement of specific industries, both now and into the future.”

The partners announced their collaboration at the Agriculture & Robotics Summit, where the PRN welcomed innovators, investors, and industry to Pittsburgh to explore the future of smart agriculture. Cybernetix, which has focused on vertical robotics applications in manufacturing, logistics, construction, and healthcare since its inception, participated in the event as a launchpad for its expanded focus on agriculture and climate robotics.

“The new use cases and overall necessity for robotics innovation in agriculture have accelerated the sector’s investment potential, and we will explore investments in agriculture and climate robotics to add to our solid portfolio,” Saad said.

PRN head to speak at the Robotics Summit

Apicella will be taking part in a panel discussion at the 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo, which takes place on May 1 and 2 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. She will be joined by Stephen M. Muck, executive chairman of Advanced Construction Robotics; Brandon Contino, CEO of Four Growers; and Andy McMillan, chair of the board of directors at Cirtronics.

During the session, “Paving the Road to Success in Robotics Commercialization,” attendees can learn how the four industry leaders have conquered obstacles, scaled operations, and transformed ideas into viable products. 

This will be the largest Robotics Summit ever. It will include more than 200 exhibitors, various networking opportunities, a Women in Robotics breakfast, a career fair, an engineering theater, a startup showcase, and more! The PRN is also a sponsor of the Robotics Summit. Registration is now open for the event.

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Electric Sheep is vertically integrating its field operations team with autonomous mowers. | Credit: Electric Sheep

This year, the annual RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards added new categories: Application of the Year, Startup of the Year, and Robot of the Year. We received numerous submissions for some incredible startups innovating in some interesting markets. The Robot Report‘s team chose autonomous landscaping company Electric Sheep Robotics as the inaugural RBR50 Startup of the Year.

The San Francisco-based company has a novel business plan that is immediately bringing in revenue while it takes its time to evolve the underlying technology. This is different from many robotics businesses, which simply sell or lease systems to integrators and end users.

“We are honored to be recognized by WTWH Media’s Robotics Group with this inaugural award. I want to also acknowledge our dedicated team at Electric Sheep that are passionate about creating the most advanced robotics that can change an often overlooked industry,” stated Nag Murty, co-founder and CEO of Electric Sheep. “We are doing things differently than other robotic companies by using AI and ML at a higher level for localization and high-level control. We are scaling physical agents across the country to care for our outdoor spaces.”

Founded in 2019, Electric Sheep has grown to over 100 employees, and it has raised more than $25 million in funding to date, according to Crunchbase.

You can also learn more about Murty’s entrepreneurial philosophy and Chief Technology Officer Michael Laskey’s design principles on a recent episode of The Robot Report Podcast.

Acquisitions add data for autonomy AI

Electric Sheep develops autonomous robots for outdoor maintenance. Its flagship robot is an autonomous mower backed by the company’s ES1 foundation model.

Based on recent advances in generative AI, ES1 is a learned-world model that enables reasoning and planning for the Verdie robot. ES1 powers both the RAM robot for mowing and now Verdie for edging and trimming lawns and bushes and blowing leaves.

In addition, Electric Sheep acquired four landscaping companies last year and said that this is a key part of its long-term plan. This strategy isn’t just about revenue. The businesses it acquires can also use ES1 and provide crucial data to make the model more effective.

This information can help improve Electric Sheep’s operations, enabling its robots to start working as soon as they arrive at a job site. 

Since taking this two-pronged approach to development and business, the company reported that its sales have grown eightfold. Electric Sheep has set itself apart from other startups by making sure it always has money coming in and by finding a unique way to get important data about its business.

Meet Electric Sheep at the Robotics Summit & Expo 

This year’s RBR50 award winners will be celebrated at the Robotics Summit & Expo, which will be on May 1 and 2 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. Electric Sheep will be demonstrate its newest robot powered by ES1, Verdie, the RBR50 showcase on the expo floor.

Attendees at the 2024 Robotics Summit and Expo at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center will have an opportunity to meet members of Electric Sheep’s executive team. Co-founder and CEO Nag Murty will present a session titled “Startup Survival Guide to Lean Times” at 2:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 2.

Murty will be joined by Oliver Mitchell, partner of ff Venture Capital; Fiona O’Donnell McCarthy, principal of True Ventures; and Steve Crowe, executive editor of robotics at WTWH Media. This panel will share tips from experienced investors and robotics companies on what they’re looking for and attendees will learn how organizations can navigate the challenging path to commercialization.

In addition, tickets are available for the first RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards Gala, which will be at the end of Day 1 of the event. The Robotics Summit & Expo will be the biggest yet, with keynotes and sessions from leading companies, more than 200 exhibitors, up to 5,000 attendees, a Women in Robotics Breakfast, and a Robotics Engineering Career Fair.

Co-located events include DeviceTalks Boston, which focuses on medical devices, and the inaugural Digital Transformation Forum. which will focus on manufacturing. Registration is now open for the Robotics Summit.

Register now.

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MassRobotics recently hosted a Robotics in AgTech event, bringing together innovators and industry leaders to explore challenges and solutions in the agriculture industry.

The event served as a catalyst for discussions and offered a glimpse into the transformative potential of robotics for farming, said the Boston-based organization.

Danfoss discusses AgTech industry challenges

The event kicked off with a presentation by Peter Bleday, senior director and head of the Autonomy Business Unit at Danfoss, who provided strategic insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping agricultural technologies and markets.

From precision agriculture to sustainable farming practices, Bleday delved into the industry’s evolving landscape and highlighted the pivotal role of technology in driving innovation and addressing pressing agricultural challenges.

Bleday led a discussion with the following panelists:

• Katie Stebbins, executive director of the Tufts Food & Nutrition Innovation Institute
• Patrick Varley, the product marketing manager for robotics at Mitsubishi Electric
• Otto Gryschek, global director of strategy and operations for chemicals and agriculture at McKinsey & Co.
• AJ Perez, founder and CEO of Grow Clean Group

The speakers shared experiences, from entrepreneurship to food sustainability, and talked about how robotics can address many of today’s agriculture challenges. They also discussed issues of trust, innovation, and the evolving landscape of agricultural technology, offering insights for stakeholders across the agricultural value chain.

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Building trust and partnerships

One of the central themes of the event was the importance of trust in agricultural partnerships. The panelists highlighted the challenge of gaining the trust of farmers, who are inherently risk-averse due to the unpredictable nature of their profession.

Traditional channels of government outreach and recommendations were deemed insufficient, with community-driven approaches and farmer-to-farmer networks seen as more effective in building trust.

The discussion underscored the value of collaboration between established industry players and startups. While startups bring agility and innovation to the table, established companies offer brand trust and resources to scale effectively.

The panelists emphasized the need for open dialogue and partnerships to drive meaningful change within the agricultural ecosystem.

Integrating AgTech and overcoming barriers to adoption

The panelists acknowledged the critical role of technology in driving innovation within agriculture. They identified startups as more nimble and capable of developing and deploying cutting-edge solutions rapidly than established companies.

However, the panel also emphasized the need for startups to understand the unique needs and challenges of farmers, as well as the importance of case studies and testimonials in showcasing the value of their offerings.

While technological advancements hold immense promise for the agricultural sector, barriers to adoption remain. Farmers often require significant changes to their existing workflows to fully use new technologies.

The panelists also discussed the need for systems that seamlessly integrate into farmers’ operations and highlighted the importance of large-scale test farms for validating innovations at scale.

Panelists discuss challenges at the Signature Series event on Robotics in AgTech. Source: MassRobotics

Startup showcase: Innovations from the ground up

Several AgTech startups showcased their technologies aimed at revolutionizing agriculture. 

• Tyler Niday, the co-founder and CEO of Bonsai Robotics, brought a wealth of experience in robotics and agriculture to the discussion. Having led the development of innovative vision-based and autonomous solutions at Blue River Technology and John Deere, he highlighted the significance of startups in advancing precision agriculture. Niday also discussed Bonsai Robotics’ focus on creating affordable and high-performing autonomy systems tailored for smaller and mid-sized farms. By using monocular cameras and deep learning models, the company aimed to address the challenges of orchard farming and similar environments. Niday emphasized the importance of customer feedback, strong relationships, and iterative testing in navigating the cyclical nature of agriculture and ensuring product-market fit.
• Carl Palme, founder of Boundless Robotics, presented his mission to enable effortless home food cultivation. With AI and automation, the startup’s system addressed urban dwellers’ challenges by offering easy-to-use, sustainable solutions. Initially targeting cannabis cultivation, Palme said it aims to provide pesticide-free, consistent strains inaccessible in urban settings. Priced at $1,500, Boundless Robotics’ system promises a quick return on investment. Palme stated that the company is committed to sustainability and legalization, aiming to disrupt the black market while addressing food scarcity issues.
• Matt Rosen, founder of Haystack Ag, introduced its innovative soil-carbon measurement system tailored for growers and carbon markets. Addressing the challenge of costly and labor-intensive soil-carbon verification, Haystack Ag said it can reduce costs and increasing throughput. The company claimed that its technology can provide highly accurate data crucial for carbon-offset markets. Its business model focuses on selling carbon testing services to carbon market intermediaries, contributing to the scalability of carbon sequestration initiatives globally. 
• Kent Cavender-Bares, founder and CEO of Rowbot, presented its row-crop farming robot tailored for large-scale agriculture. Inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer poses a challenge, so the company plans deliver nitrogen fertilizer at the right time for the crop. Its patented technology allows for precise application between rows with minimal clearance, optimizing plant treatment. With advanced prototypes tested on hundreds of real fields and a recent agreement with a major cooperative in Iowa, Rowbot said it is poised for commercialization, signaling significant market potential.
• Onder Odemir, founder CEO of Ubiros Inc., introduced soft grippers tailored for the food industry, addressing the challenge of delicate item handling without the need for human labor. With a focus on affordability and versatility, Ubiros offers a solution to the labor shortage in food packaging. The company’s grippers are electric-powered, lightweight, and capable of handling items such as peaches, tomatoes, and cucumbers with care, making them suitable for a range of agricultural and food industry applications. Odemir noted the importance of dexterity and affordability in robotic end effectors, positioning the grippers as a valuable tool for farmers and food processors seeking efficient and gentle handling solutions.
• Ahmad Zameli, CEO of Untill, introduced its indoor vertical farm, which he said can reduce the food supply chain from eight days days to under 24 hours, extending product shelf life and cutting carbon emissions by over 30%. The proprietary technology enables high-density planting, resulting in six times the productivity of traditional vertical farms. Untill plans to scale through partnerships and franchising, aiming to improve access to fresh produce.

Matthew Rosen, CEO of Haystack at AgTech event. Source: MassRobotics

See MassRobotics at the Robotics Summit

The Robotics in AgTech event provided a platform for stakeholders to gain valuable insights into the latest advancements and emerging trends in the agriculture industry. The event fostered collaboration, paving the way for future partnerships and initiatives aimed at driving innovation in AgTech.

MassRobotics said it remains committed to driving innovation in agriculture and leveraging the power of technology to create a more sustainable and resilient food system. 

At the Robotics Summit & Expo, MassRobotics will host a pavilion with the 10 startups in its Accelerator Program. They will exhibit on the show floor and discuss their experiences in a session on May 1 at 4:15 p.m. ET.

For the second year in a row, MassRobotics Form & Function Robotics Challenge participants will show their prototypes on the expo floor. In the Engineering Theater at noon on Thursday, May 2, the organization will name the winners from among the university teams from around the world.

In addition, MassRobotics will also be holding a Robotics Engineering Career Fair from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. on May 2 in Boston. The career fair will draw from the general robotics and artificial intelligence community, as well as from Robotics Summit attendees.

Past co-located career fairs have drawn more than 800 candidates, and event organizers said they expect even more people at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center this year. MassRobotics is a strategic partner of WTWH Media, which produces the Robotics Summit and The Robot Report.

The Robotics Engineering Career Fair welcomes recent graduates and seasoned engineers, computer scientists, vision specialists, mechatronics experts, AI professionals, and more, said MassRobotics. Candidates can register here for $15.

The Robotics Summit will be co-located with DeviceTalks, an event focused on medical devices, and the inaugural Digital Transformation Forum. Registration is now open for the event.

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Four experts plan to share their unique insights on commercializing robotics products during a panel discussion at the 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo. They have diverse backgrounds in agriculture, construction, and entrepreneurship and will share their tips on how to find the right product-market fit.

Attendees can discover firsthand how these industry leaders have conquered obstacles, scaled operations, and transformed ideas into viable products. They can also gain valuable insights to pave the way for their own commercialization journeys.

The session “Paving the Road to Success in Robotics Commercialization” is slated for 11:30 a.m. on the first day of the Robotics Summit & Expo, which will be in Boston. During this panel, hear from:

Jennifer Apicella is the executive director of the Pittsburgh Robotics Network. There, she has overseen the growth and development of the Pittsburgh region’s commercial robotics cluster, one of the top robotics business ecosystems in the world.

Apicella has more than 15 years of experience working in advanced technologies and currently serves on the National Board of getWITit (Women in Tech), Women in Robotics Pittsburgh Chapter. She has spent most of her career helping clients succeed with enterprise technology adoption.

Brandon Contino is the co-founder and CEO of Four Growers, an agricultural analytics and robotics company in Turtle Creek, Pa. Four Growers is using AI to analyze and autonomously harvest specialty crops. The company has units running in commercial customer operations across North America and Europe.

Before founding Four Growers, Contino developed neural networks for neurosurgery, wrote custom maximum power point algorithms for photovoltaic cells, created low-cost IoT water-quality sensors, and developed autonomous robots that won numerous competitions.

Stephen Muck is the chairman and CEO of Brayman Construction Corp. in Saxonburg, Pa. He is also the founder and executive chairman of Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR), which develops autonomous robots for rebar installations.

Muck has started or acquired over 20 businesses throughout his career and currently operates a portfolio of several companies focused on heavy civil construction. In construction-related endeavors alone, Muck oversees around $200 million in revenue. He obtained a B.S. in finance from Ohio University and an M.B.A. from Penn State University.

Cirtronics chair to moderate

Andy McMillan, the session’s moderator, is the chair of the board of Cirtronics Corp., a Milford, N.H.-based contract manufacturer of robotics, medical equipment, and other products requiring high quality and precision. He is an experienced executive with a history of strategic innovation in products, technologies, and business models.

McMillan has founded several companies, holds a dozen patents, and has spoken on automation and open systems worldwide. In addition to strategy consulting assignments, he is chair of the advisory board for Cirtronics and president of a global data communications trade association. McMillan’s formal education includes engineering and business degrees from the University of Michigan.

The session will focus on the essential elements of successful commercialization, how to simultaneously assess problems and technology awareness, and how to determine the best time to outsource manufacturing. Attendees can also find Cirtronics at Booth 206 on the event’s show floor.

About the 2024 Robotics Summit & Expo

This will be the largest Robotics Summit ever. It will include more than 200 exhibitors, various networking opportunities, a Women in Robotics breakfast, a career fair, an engineering theater, a startup showcase, and more!

New to the event is the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards Gala. The event will include a cocktail hour, plated dinner, photo opportunities, and the chance to hear from the Robot of the Year, Startup of the Year, and Application of the Year winners.

Each RBR50 winner will receive two complimentary tickets to the Robotics Summit and RBR50 gala. A limited number of tickets is available to attendees, but they’re selling fast!

The Robotics Summit & Expo will be co-located with DeviceTalks, an event focused on medical devices, and the inaugural Digital Transformation Forum. Registration is now open for the event.

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The new production line doubles the production capabilities of the company. | Credit: Scythe

Scythe Robotics, a Colo.-based company developing autonomous lawnmowers for commercial landscapers, this week opened its expanded headquarters and manufacturing facility in Boulder County. It said the expansion comes in response to the demand for its Scythe M.52 – the company’s all-electric, fully autonomous commercial mower that it said has a waitlist thousands of units long.

More than double the size of the original space, the 28,000-square-foot facility signals the company’s continued growth. It will build and deploy more than 100 mowers in the coming months, it said, ramping production to 8 units a week. Increased production volumes are projected in the second half of the year when Scythe debuts the next generation of M.52.

To accommodate its 80 employees, 60 of whom are based in Colorado, the larger headquarters also provides ample office and meeting areas that will support increased company activity and forecasted headcount growth.

The M.52 autonomous mower is Scythe’s flagship product. | Credit: Scythe

“The opening of our state-of-the-art robotics facility accelerates our ability to deliver high-quality, game-changing machines to our customers for the upcoming mowing season,” said Jack Morrison, co-founder and CEO of Scythe. “We are proud that our growth is generating meaningful job opportunities within Colorado’s burgeoning cleantech sector and advancing our state’s culture of collaboration and creativity. Boulder County’s diverse talent pool and inspiring landscape make it the ideal place for Scythe to innovate and lead the way in robotics.”

Scythe said the strategic location in Longmont offers proximity to esteemed universities, a vibrant and expanding robotics community, and the allure of Colorado’s outdoor lifestyle. With special recognition from the State of Colorado and the City of Longmont, Scythe will continue to create high-quality jobs in Boulder County for individuals across a wide range of skills and backgrounds.

“Colorado is leading the nation in the industries of tomorrow, and we are thrilled to see Scythe Robotics expand in Colorado, creating 394 good-paying jobs and helping to pioneer the future of robotics. Colorado’s highly educated workforce, pro-business environment, and commitment to innovation make us the best place to live, work, and do business,” said Governor Polis.

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“Colorado ranks fifth in the nation as a cleantech hub, and companies like Scythe Robotics play an important role in advancing this key industry,” added OEDIT executive director Eve Lieberman. “We are pleased to see the company expand in Longmont, creating new good-paying jobs while contributing to our state’s ongoing leadership in cleantech.”

Scythe will be speaking at the Robotics Summit & Expo, the world’s leading event for commercial robotics developers, that takes place May 1-2 in Boston. Nathaniel Czarnecki, Scythe’s lead test engineer, will be talking about how the company is “Building a Scalable Testing Program to Drive Robot Reliability.” Czarnecki will share the company’s philosophy behind and framework for building highly effective robotics testing programs that can grow in scope and impact without becoming burdensome to the business. This involves prioritizing which facets of the product need the most in-depth testing, identifying meaningful metrics to measure them by, and using the findings to rapidly iterate on and improve the product – all with typically limited resources and an eye toward seriously expanded testing operations.

Redesigned and optimized production workflow

In the design of the production line, Scythe implemented a unidirectional movement system that it said empowers the manufacturing team to monitor progress visually, minimize waste, and operate at peak efficiency. This ensures that each M.52 robot meets stringent quality standards and delivery schedules.

The upgraded warehouse and production line also feature raising platforms, agile cranes, and dedicated assembly stations. These additions prioritize the comfort and productivity of Scythe’s assembly technicians, it said, reducing the time and effort expended in the assembly of a complex machine.

The company recently adopted the ‘Tesla charging standard’ for its mowers. By standardizing on this charging interface, a mower can be recharged quickly in the field from any Tesla Supercharger.

“Ensuring a quality product that is delivered in a timely manner hinges on our ability to proactively optimize workflows throughout the manufacturing process,” said Kip Atkinson, senior manufacturing engineer at Scythe. “Through the adoption of lean manufacturing principles, we swiftly pinpoint and rectify any production or testing errors before the mower leaves our facility. Our rigorous criteria during the production process guarantee that our customers receive machines of the utmost safety and reliability, consistently delivering superior outcomes.”

Scythe CEO Jack Morrison gives a toast at the production line launch party. | Credit: Scythe

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Afara Agricultural Technologies Inc. has developed AFARA-COTTON, an autonomous mobile robot designed to collect cotton spilled on the ground after the mechanical harvesting process. The Turkish company has also developed automation for seeding, irrigation, disinfestation, and weeding.

According to Afara, 5% to 20% of annual cotton yields are unpicked by mechanical harvesters or are dropped to the ground during harvest. This valuable resource is currently either wasted or must be gathered by hand, it said.

The company said AFARA-COTTON is an all-electric, self-driving platform to address this waste. It is currently selling its systems only in Turkey and select European countries.

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AFARA-COTTON cleans two rows at once

Computer engineer Ömer Muratlı, the son of a farmer, invented the Afara Agricultural Robot in 2019. His family, which harvested cotton, had asked him to build a robot to collect remaining cotton. He patented the agricultural platform and brought it to the working prototype stage.

Afara Agricultural Technologies was established in 2023 with investment from the crowdfunding platform Fonlabüyüsün. The company is continuing work on a mass-production model.

The video animation above shows that the robot has four cameras, two lidar sensors, and ultrasonic sensors. Cameras scan the ground looking for the stray seed cotton.

An AI-based perception model identifies the seed cotton and deploys a suction cup to vacuum up the seed cotton and collect it in a central bailing area in the middle of the machine. The startup said it is targeting a 90% efficiency rate.

AFARA-COTTON autonomously traverses the field, avoiding obstacles as it cleans up two rows at a time. Currently, as the robot completes a row, the operator needs to manually realign it onto the next row and reinitiate the collection process.

The robot can accumulate up to 200 kg (440 lb.) before it needs to be emptied. While collecting the cotton, the picker drives up to 3.2 kph (2 mph), and it can operate for up to six hours on a single charge. The current two-row model will be available for €120,000 to €130,000 ($131,275 to $142,231 U.S.).

AFARA-COTTON is designed to clean up cotton wastage from the field after the harvest. | Credit: AFARA

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Nag Murty, CEO and cofounder of Electric Sheep, and Michael Laskey, CTO of Electric Sheep join the show this week to discuss how Electric Sheep is disrupting the commercial landscaping industry with autonomous mobile robots and a unique business model. The company is leveraging AI to enable autonomous mowers to cut the grass while simplifying the deployment process in the field.
Electric Sheep is also vertically integrating the market segment through the acquisition of commercial landscaping businesses, then training the field workforce and integrating the autonomous mowers in the daily workflow for the field teams while learning and adapting the product.

Episode Timeline

18:10   Interview with Electric Sheep CEO and cofounder Nag Murty, along with CTO Michael Laskey.

In the news this week

• The January investment report is out and robotics companies raised $578M in January 2024.
  • Robotics investments totaled $578 million in January 2024 as the result of 46 funding rounds. This figure was substantially lower than the trailing twelve-month average, but in line with January 2023’s figure of $523 million.
  • The largest robotics investment in January 2024 was a $100 million round secured by Norway-based 1X, a developer of humanoids (See Table 1 below). Chinese humanoid developer Robot Era raised $14 million in February.
  • Makers of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for agricultural operations were well represented among February’s robotics investments. Examples include Bluewhite ($39 million), Burro ($24 million), Saga Robotics ($11.5 million), farm-ng ($10M), and Ant Robotics ($2 million).
  • Companies based in the United States raised $154 million in January 2024, while Norway, buoyed by the $100 million 1X investment, placed third among countries with $113 million in funding.
• Anyware Robotics announces new add-on conveyor for Pixmo unloading robots
  • The patent-pending articulating conveyor simplifies
• Waymo robotaxis approved for fared rides in LA, also significantly expanded operating area around the SF peninsula, including a reported route to the airport.
  • Also launches fully driverless rides for employees in Austin; will begin shuttling employees around 43 square miles of the Texas capital.
• Veteran tech exec Peggy Johnson named Agility Robotics CEO
  • Agility Robotics co-founder Damion Shelton has served as CEO since the company’s founding in 2015. Shelton will now be the company’s president and part of Johnson’s leadership team.

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Eric Adamson, CEO and co-founder of Tortuga, joins us in this episode to discuss agricultural robotics. Tortuga is one of the agtech companies leading the charge to transform greenhouse farming with their autonomous harvesting robots. Eric discusses the difficulties and successes of developing robots for use in greenhouses, shedding light on the processes involved in harvesting strawberries, grapes, and tomatoes. This episode offers an intriguing look into how technology and agriculture are influencing the future of food production, from overcoming design limits to investigating creative alternatives.

Episode Timeline

26:15   Interview with Eric Adamson, from Tortuga AgTech

In the news this week

• • Figure AI raises whopping $675M to commercialize humanoids
    • With the Series B funding, the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company is now valued at $2.6 billion. Microsoft, OpenAI Startup Fund, NVIDIA, Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund, Jeff Bezos (through Bezos Expeditions), Parkway Venture Capital, Intel Capital, Align Ventures, and ARK Invest were among the investors. Qatalyst Partners provided strategic and financial advice to Figure.
    • Figure AI said it will work with OpenAI on the next generation of AI models for humanoids. This will be done by combining OpenAI’s language research with Figure’s robotics hardware and software expertise.
    • Figure said it will use Microsoft Azure for AI training, storage, and servers.
    • This is shot across the bow for Tesla and the Optimus team, but it really adds fuel the race to commercialize humanoids.
  • Electric Sheep Robotics launched Verdie, a new robot using its proprietary artificial intelligence and software.
    • Electric Sheep aims to be the first large-scale outdoor maintenance company powered by AI and robotics.
    • Verdie uses AI to understand the lawns around them and efficiently care for them, said Electric Sheep. Based on recent advances in generative AI, ES1 is a learned-world model that enables reasoning and planning for both robots.
  • One more update: On last week’s show, the Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus had just successfully landed on the moon, but what we didn’t know at the time was that it tipped over in the final moments of the landing procedure.
    • It was supposed to survive for 14 days, before the lunar night, but it only lasted a week, and stopped transmitting yesterday.

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