Traptic: Strawberry Picking Robotics Startup Begins Commercial Deployment

Traptic Advances in Agricultural Robotics

Traptic was initially highlighted in 2019 as a finalist at Disrupt SF. The robotics startup, based in the South Bay area, is now announcing significant advancements in its technology.

Specifically, the company has initiated commercial use of its robotic system designed for strawberry harvesting earlier this month.

Initial Deployment and Pilot Programs

Blazer-Wilkinson, a leading U.S. strawberry grower, began integrating the technology into its operations in June. This implementation involves the robots working alongside human harvesting teams.

This followed a successful pilot program conducted in 2020, a period when numerous agricultural businesses were actively seeking solutions due to labor challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Addressing Labor Shortages and Waste

Even before the onset of COVID-19, shortages in available labor were contributing to substantial crop waste. Traptic estimates that approximately 10% of U.S. strawberries are left to spoil in the fields.

This results in annual losses of up to $300 million. The pandemic exacerbated the issue, as travel restrictions impacted the availability of H-2A workers.

Funding and Development

The company’s progress is fueled by a $5 million Series A funding round from Collaborative Fund, Homebrew Ventures, and K9 Ventures, secured in late 2019.

“The recent funding allowed us to successfully complete a pilot program,” explains Lewis Anderson, co-founder and CEO of Traptic. “It also enabled us to design and construct our commercial-scale machine and initiate our first paid deployment.”

Prior to this, Traptic raised $3 million in an earlier stage round in 2017, and $400K the year before, bringing the total funding to $8.4 million.

Industry Perspective

Craig Shapiro of Collaborative Fund commented on the timing of Traptic’s launch, stating that the mission is particularly relevant given the current heat waves impacting farmworkers and harvests.

He highlighted the launch as a significant step for the $10 billion strawberry market and a glimpse into the future of agricultural production. Collaborative Fund is committed to supporting technologies that enhance crop security and improve worker safety.

Technology and Team

Traptic’s system utilizes a combination of 3D cameras, AI-powered vision, and robotic arms. These arms are designed to carefully harvest the delicate fruit without causing damage.

The company currently has a team of around a dozen employees, primarily focused on robotics and engineering. They are guided by advisors Pieter Abbeel of UC Berkeley and Serge Belongie of Cornell.

The team is dedicated to creating a more sustainable and efficient future for agriculture.