Based in 2021, this Danish start-up desires to make agritech autonomy certifiable and reliable.
Henrik Lynge Jacobsen has an in depth background in agricultural science.
In addition to holding a grasp’s diploma in agricultural science, Jacobsen has labored in varied agricultural firms over the course of his profession, together with main management roles comparable to group venture director at Kongskilde Industries and chief industrial officer at AgroIntelli.
Whereas at AgroIntelli, he crossed paths with Tommy Ertbølle Madsen, a robotics skilled who has labored on autonomous agriculture programs for greater than 20 years.
Whereas the 2 labored collectively on superior farm robotics, it turned clear to them that autonomy in agriculture wouldn’t go mainstream except somebody tackled the security problem head-on.
Impressed to take the lead in tackling this problem, Jacobsen and Madsen joined forces to discovered our Begin-up of the Week, AgriRobot.
AgriRobot is a Danish agritech start-up that’s constructing security software program that makes it potential for farm robots to function autonomously and unsupervised.
“Most agricultural machines nonetheless want an individual close by to intervene if one thing goes unsuitable,” explains Jacobsen. “Our job is to verify they don’t.
“We give attention to the toughest a part of autonomy: making it certifiable, predictable and protected sufficient to work with out supervision. Which means growing programs that meet worldwide security requirements and carry out reliably in unpredictable environments like fields, orchards or farms with livestock.”
The tech
As Jacobsen explains to SiliconRepublic.com, AgriRobot’s core know-how is a modular security software program stack that helps autonomous machines detect, assess and reply to dangers in actual time.
“We’re not making the robots themselves, we’re making it potential for the whole trade to take autonomy critically and deploy it at scale,” he says.
The software program is constructed on sensor fusion, which mixes inputs from LiDAR, radar and cameras, and is designed to combine with several types of agricultural automobiles. In accordance with Jacobsen, the software program can monitor environment, recognise hazards and set off emergency stops if wanted.
Except for the technical capabilities, Jacobsen explains {that a} large part of AgriRobot’s product is its give attention to certifiability.
“Every part we construct aligns with security requirements like ISO 18497 and ISO 13849/ISO 25119, so producers can present regulators that their programs meet real-world security standards,” he says. “We’re additionally concerned within the €4.97m EU-funded AgRibot venture, contributing each our software program and an autonomous electrical mower prototype to display how certifiable autonomy can work in apply.”
The goal
Jacobsen tells us that the start-up is primarily targeted on authentic gear producers and system integrators of retrofit tractors, which embody firms constructing autonomous mowers, sprayers, harvesters and different robotics platforms.
“You’ve bought machines that work superbly in take a look at fields, however these robots have to be certifiable and in compliance with related ISO requirements,” he says. “That’s the place we are available. We assist these firms cross that line to allow them to get their programs out of take a look at mode and into farms for actual.
“Given the dimensions of labour shortages in agriculture and the rising regulatory give attention to security, we see a serious opening to guide this class.”
The way it’s going
Within the time because the start-up was based in 2021, AgriRobot has achieved some notable success.
It has raised €2.5m in funding, which Jacobsen says is already serving to the corporate speed up the event of the security software program. The funding has additionally helped develop the start-up’s crew in areas comparable to DevOps, machine studying and buyer success.
In addition to funding, AgriRobot was named by Odense Robotics, Denmark’s cluster for robotics, automation and drones, because the Robotics Begin-up of the 12 months for 2024.
Going ahead, Jacobsen says that the crew at AgriRobot desires autonomy in agriculture to be “greater than a tech demo” and that the crew’s final aim is to allow totally autonomous subject operations – which means machines safely working on their very own while not having a human to shadow them.
“That’s the one means we’re going to shut the labour hole in farming whereas maintaining operations protected and scalable,” says Jacobsen. “If we do our job proper, farmers received’t have to decide on between innovation and security. And producers will be capable to transfer from small trials to widespread adoption.
“We see AgriRobot changing into the usual for autonomy security in agriculture. Not by being the loudest participant in robotics, however by quietly fixing the half most individuals overlook: making autonomy certifiable, reliable and prepared for the actual world.”
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