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The FD20 uses high-precision RTK GPS to mark the position of each plant at seeding and can perform both inter-row and intra-row weed control. | Source: FarmDroid
Farmers today face challenges including the need to reduce chemical inputs, decrease reliance on manual labour, and cut operational costs, noted FarmDroid ApS. The company, which is developing a solar-powered, autonomous robot, this week said it has secured a €10.5 million investment, around $11.37 million.
“We are incredibly proud to have closed this investment, which will strengthen FarmDroid’s position and provide opportunities to develop and expand the use of agricultural robots,” stated René Jannick Jørgensen, CEO of FarmDroid. “This investment contributes both with competencies and financial resources dedicated to scaling the business, increasing our impact, and promoting sustainable and economically attractive solutions for agriculture.”
Jens Vest Warming started FarmDroid after spending time hand-weeding sugar beets on his family’s farm. He learned firsthand how much manual work goes into this process and set out to find a way to automate it. Warming eventually teamed up with his brother, Kristian Warming, to co-found the Vejen, Denmark-based company in 2018.
FD20 addresses multiple tasks
FarmDroid said it has developed a versatile, easy-to-operate, lightweight, and affordable robot to address agricultural challenges. The modular FarmDroid FD20 can sow, remove weeds, and reduce pesticide usage with a new micro-spray system. The company added that its system can operate continuously in the field, powered by solar energy.
With mechanical weeding, FarmDroid said it can reduce the use of certain pesticides by up to 100% compared with conventional methods. It claimed that its system promotes sustainability while preserving soil health and reducing operational expenses.
The company partners with distributors to bring its advanced weeding and seeding robots to farmers globally. FarmDroid said it currently has more than 500 customers.
The FD20 robot with micro sprayer implement in a sugar beet field. Source: FarmDroid
FarmDroid hopes to extend beyond organic farming
Convent Capital led FarmDroid’s funding round. The Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO) and Navus Ventures also participated, providing a total of nearly DKK 80 million ($11.5 million U.S.).
“We see FarmDroid as a frontrunner in robotization of arable farming, enabling more sustainable and long-term productive practices,” said Eduard Meijer, managing director at Navus Ventures.
“Their pragmatic and farmer-oriented technology has been tested in the field for years as they established an impressive customer base,” he added. “We are looking forward to our collaboration and see a strong match with our background in the automation and robotization of agriculture.”
Having proven it systems’ effectiveness primarily on organic farms, FarmDroid said its recently introduced spot-spraying application allows it to expand to conventional open-field farming.
“In the process, it has been important for us to find the right partners who understand the DNA of FarmDroid, share our vision, and want to join us on the journey ahead,” said Jens and Kristian Warming, the founders of FarmDroid. “With Convent Capital, Navus Ventures, and EIFO on board, while we as founders remain the primary owners, we are geared for the next steps on the journey. We have surpassed 500 robots – now the next milestone is 1,000.”