Agerris raises $6.5 million funds to develop smart robots for farms

Agerris develops robotic systems which use decision mapping and AI to help farmers in weeding, spraying, harvesting and even picking fruits.
 

Agerris, technology-based field robotics startup that originated at the University of Sydney has reportedly launched itself on to the agtech scene by securing $6.5 million in a seed funding round. The fund will be used to commercialize the company’s automated farm tools and to provide support to farmers across Australia.
 

According to reports, the funding has been provided by venture capital firms BridgeLane Group and Carthona Capital as well as Uniseed, the research commercialization fund. The funding coincides with the official incorporation of the startup as a business.
 

According to reports, Agerris specializes in the development of robotic systems that includes decision mapping and AI to provide farmers a helping hand with weeding, spraying, harvesting and even picking fruits.

 

Professor Salah Sukkarieh, chief executive and founder of Agerris has reportedly been working on outdoor robotic systems, automation and machine learning for around 15 years, mostly in the R&D context. Sukkarieh explained that after merging robust hardware with machine learning technology and AI, he has created a product that can add real value to the Australian agriculture ecosystem.
 

According to reliable sources, agriculture technology is a much-discussed topic in Australia as new startups emerge and existing ones are constantly raising funds. In 2019, livestock food supplement startup Direct Injection Technologies has raised $656,500 through crowd funding, agricultural data startup FluroSat raised $3million through grants whereas AgriStart CONNECT program received $500,000 to provide support to agtech startups in West Australia.
 

Sukkarieh has been reported to say that activity in this sector is being pushed by several factors such as extreme weather events, lack of labor, growing population, competition at international level and advancing technologies. He added that he obtained funding from the industry to work with it and the fund raisers include the likes of Meat and Livestock Australia.
 

Sukkarieh plans to use the funds to transform Agerris from its high prototype level status into high scale operation. Sukkarieh hopes to have some bots working with farmers within 12 months.