Plus: ProfilePrint raises Series B funding & Vow gets a regulatory nod for cultivated quail.
4AG has developed an autonomous harvesting robot it says can greatly alleviate labor challenges in the mushroom industry.
“We’re the really the first ag robotics that I’ve seen that relies on solar as the primary energy source,” says ag robotics company Aigen.
The UK-based farm robotics company talks labor shortages, AI, startup collaboration and more in this interview with AgFunderNews.
This week, agrifoodtech investors placed bets on autonomous harvesting tech, plant-based whole cuts, an AI supply chain analyst, and a platform connecting spray drone supplies with demand.
The annual Farm Robotics Challenge sets university students to work on solving real-world agricultural issues with robotics-based solutions.
Food robotics had a busy week with several new fundraises; vertical farming company CubicAcres launched a partnership with IGS.
Biotech startup Allonnia raises $30 million, Nestlé says it’s “moving away” from carbon offsets.
Investment in agrifoodtech will be key to the stable, sustainable and prosperous development of Africa, says Saron Berhane.
Fazla lands $6 million to stop food waste, Quorn invests in alt deli meat startup Prime Roots.
Rice and wheat are harvested with combine harvesters. Yet strawberries are still picked by hand at a time when growers are facing rising labor costs and serious labor shortages. So why aren’t we seeing more mechanization being deployed for specialty crops?
Pennsylvania-based Four Growers just released its second-generation automatic harvester for greenhouse-grown tomatoes.
Restaurant-tech startup Incentivio scored new funding and one food delivery startup says it’s reached profitability.
SRC (Small Robot Company) is building survival runway via crowdfunding but says its difficulties are common amongst UK ag robotics startups.
Ecorobotix offers weeding and crop protection via its “high-precision sprayer” for targeted herbicide, fungicide and pesticide application.
Robots that automate the task of weeding are far and away the most popular right now amongst specialty crop growers, says Western Growers.
Tevel is partnering with ag machinery manufacturers and integrating its robots and ground computing software system with harvesting machinery.
Carbon Robotics will bring its LaserWeeder robot to new parts of North America and launch into international markets in the near future.
Plus, the USDA’s office of the chief scientist gets a new director and cultivated meat startup Upside Foods expands its leadership team.
Ongoing labor shortages and a need to cut costs are fueling a new class of foodservice robotics, from ‘bots that mix drinks to burger vending machines.
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