farmwise plans to add autonomous crop dusting to its suite of robotic services

FarmWise Expands Autonomous Farming Capabilities

The ongoing revolution in agricultural robotics is poised for further development as FarmWise, a company specializing in autonomous crop cultivation, aims to enhance the functionality of its robotic farming systems.

According to Sébastien Boyer, the company’s chief executive, FarmWise is presently evaluating the implementation of fungicide and insecticide application to row crops. This would represent an added feature for their robots, which are already designed for weed control.

Growing Robotics Market

This advancement arrives within a rapidly expanding market for agricultural robotics. Numerous new companies are emerging, including Future Acres, which recently introduced its support robot, Carry. Additionally, Mineral, a venture originating from Alphabet – the parent company of Google – offers sophisticated crop analysis services.

FarmWise distinguishes itself by offering robotics as a service, rather than direct robot sales. Farms are charged approximately $200 per acre for inspection and weeding procedures.

“Our team arrives at farms with our own personnel and machinery,” Boyer explained.

Funding and Growth

This business approach has successfully garnered $24 million in external investment from firms such as Playground Global. The company anticipates securing another funding round, targeting $20 million, later this year, Boyer indicated.

Currently, FarmWise serves a significant portion of the largest growers in Salinas, California. These farms are suppliers to major consumer vegetable brands, including Dole.

Addressing Labor Shortages

A primary objective for FarmWise is to mitigate the challenges posed by labor scarcity in the agricultural sector. Boyer, alongside co-founder Thomas Palomares, recognized the need for farms to maintain production levels despite a diminishing workforce.

“The core focus is assisting farmers in managing their workload as the availability of individuals willing to perform these tasks decreases,” he stated.

Sustainability Benefits

The utilization of these robots offers benefits beyond improved farm profitability. Boyer highlighted the potential for reduced fertilizer and chemical usage, contributing to environmental sustainability and a more responsible food supply chain.

“A significant motivator for me was the opportunity to address a substantial sustainability challenge,” Boyer added.

The integration of robotics promises a more efficient and environmentally conscious future for agriculture.