Robotics & Automation News

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Agriculture

Agricultural robots: Precision farming and autonomous harvesting

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The latest in robotic solutions for planting, monitoring, spraying, and harvesting crops to improve yields and sustainability

Amid rising labor shortages, mounting input costs, and pressure to boost sustainable yields, agriculture is increasingly turning to robotics.

Operating in unstructured, outdoor conditions – from muddy fields to rugged orchard rows – robots are offering tangible operational and environmental benefits.

This article explores how robots are reshaping farming, delivering results that matter to both engineers and investors. [Read more…] about Agricultural robots: Precision farming and autonomous harvesting

Saga Robotics raises $11.2 million to commercialize its agricultural robot

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Saga Robotics, the company behind Thorvald, the robotic platform for growing and harvesting grapevine and strawberries, has raised $11.2 million in equity capital to scale its commercial operations in the UK and US.

The raise marks a pivotal moment as the company transitions from initial market traction to large-scale commercial adoption.

The round was backed by a strong mix of new and existing investors, including Praesidium Agri-FoodTech, a Luxembourg-based VC fund focused on scalable agtech solutions. [Read more…] about Saga Robotics raises $11.2 million to commercialize its agricultural robot

Lely launches three new robotic solutions for milking cows

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Lely has launched three new robotic solutions for milking cows. Both Astronaut A5 Next and Astronaut Max build on the success of the Astronaut A5 milking robot. In addition, the Lely Hub was also launched, and is described by the company as “an essential data safety device for farmers”.

These solutions are designed to meet the evolving needs of modern dairy farming, with a strong focus on improving animal welfare and farmer prosperity. Lely says it is taking “the next step towards the realisation of the Farm of the Future”.

André van Troost, CEO Lely, says: “Business continuity is crucial for our farmers. Both in terms of the reliability of the milking processes and digital resilience. [Read more…] about Lely launches three new robotic solutions for milking cows

4AG Robotics raises C$40 million Series B for its automated mushroom harvesting

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4AG Robotics, a pioneer in fully autonomous mushroom harvesting, has closed its C$40 million (Canadian dollars) Series B financing.

The investment round was led by Astanor and Cibus Capital, with support from new investor Voyager Capital and existing investors InBC, Emmertech, BDC Industrial Innovation Fund, Jim Richardson Family Office, Stray Dog Capital and Seraph Group.

This round follows a $17.5 million round in 2023, bringing total capital raised to $57.5 million in the past two years. [Read more…] about 4AG Robotics raises C$40 million Series B for its automated mushroom harvesting

China achieves ‘97 percent mechanization rate in cotton farming’ through robotics

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In China’s top cotton-growing region, Xinjiang, the path to full mechanization begins with a seed.

Xinjiang, which accounts for more than 90 percent of the country’s cotton output, has surpassed a 97 percent mechanization rate in cotton farming.

This was achieved in large part through the use of robotics, such as the one jointly developed by Xinjiang University and EAVision Robotic Technologies (EAVision). [Read more…] about China achieves ‘97 percent mechanization rate in cotton farming’ through robotics

GreenBot unveils autonomous system for weeding woody crop areas

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The GreenBot project has taken a key step towards sustainable agriculture with the field deployment of a high-precision autonomous vehicle designed for the smart and localized control of weeds in woody crops such as almond, citrus, and olive trees.

This breakthrough, made possible thanks to a public-private partnership, integrates artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and machine vision to optimize the use of plant protection products, reduce costs, and mitigate the environmental impact of intensive farming. [Read more…] about GreenBot unveils autonomous system for weeding woody crop areas

Exclusive interview: John Deere deepens its automation strategy

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John Deere has been a consistent force in the agricultural automation space, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with connected machines, autonomous tractors, and AI-powered harvesters.

As Robotics and Automation News has recently reported, the company is evolving on multiple fronts – from launching a new generation of combine harvesters with advanced automation features, to unveiling long-term autonomy plans in exclusive interviews with leaders such as Jesse Haecker.

In a follow-up to our recent feature John Deere: Harvesting the future – automation, autonomy, and the investor landscape and our technical deep-dive Deere unveils new combine harvester with expanded advanced automation, we now speak with Mike Moeller, senior group product manager for connectivity, planning and guidance at John Deere. [Read more…] about Exclusive interview: John Deere deepens its automation strategy

The future of saffron: From ancient fields to high-tech indoor farms

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Saffron, often dubbed “red gold”, is the world’s most expensive spice – a testament to its unique flavor, vibrant color, and labor-intensive cultivation.

Historically, this prized spice has been a luxury commodity, with its high price maintained by traditional farming methods and limited supply.

However, a new wave of innovation, driven by high-tech indoor farming and robotics, is poised to revolutionize saffron production, promising to make this elusive spice more accessible and sustainable. [Read more…] about The future of saffron: From ancient fields to high-tech indoor farms

BlueRedGold raises €2.7 million to commercialize indoor saffron production through robotics and automation

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PINC, the venture arm of international food company Paulig, has led a €2.73 million investment round in Swedish AgriTech innovator BlueRedGold, alongside The Food Tech Lab and PolarVentures.

The funding will accelerate the company’s development of the world’s first scalable indoor saffron cultivation system, enabled by advanced robotics and AI.

The investment marks a significant step in Paulig’s ambition to shape the future of food and reinforce its leadership in sustainability, while supporting PINC’s role in backing bold FoodTech solutions with global relevance. [Read more…] about BlueRedGold raises €2.7 million to commercialize indoor saffron production through robotics and automation

Dürr unveils ready-made high-tech vertical farm facility

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The mechanical and industrial plant engineering company Dürr is entering a new industry with its “EcoY turnkey vertical farm” – or ready-made vertical high-tech farm system.

The company is combining its expertise in plant engineering – particularly in the demanding field of ventilation and energy-efficient climate control technology for paint shops – with the know-how of Clean Air Nurseries Agri Global (CAN-Agri), a specialist in innovative farming technologies.

EcoY, a resource-saving turnkey system solution, leverages natural sunlight and utilizes up to 95 percent less water than conventional cultivation methods. The overall concept of the plant, developed using patented technology, is revolutionizing vertical farming. [Read more…] about Dürr unveils ready-made high-tech vertical farm facility