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Robotics and artificial intelligence: The words are often accompanied by the backdrop of a neon cityscape full of skyscrapers and limitless streams of cars flying by. From Bladerunner to The Jetsons, the future of technology often revolves around concepts of sprawling, dirty urbanism, where wired, manufactured components completely replace biological structures.
However, at Greenfield Roboticsthe role of cutting-edge technologies is to support nature, not to interchange it.
For many years, the agricultural industry has grappled with critical challenges, similar to the widespread use of harmful chemicals and the resulting environmental degradation. Phasing out herbicides and pesticides has been a difficult task on account of the lack of alternatives that would work with the same effectiveness on a large scale.
However, Clint Brauer, founder of Greenfield Robotics, realized there was an unexpected solution to the problem. Using AI-powered robotic technology to revolutionize no-till farming methods, he has built a team at Greenfield to create a technology that guarantees to not only mitigate environmental impacts, but also increase the sustainability and efficiency of agricultural operations, all without the use of chemicals.
Greenfield Robotics uses cutting-edge technology to power autonomous robots designed specifically for the agricultural industry. Brauer, himself a third-generation farmer, says: “The reason we created these initial robots was to solve a pretty basic problem. The weeds have become resistant to herbicides, so you have to use more of these chemicals… The blade offers no resistance.”
The fleet was built and developed in Cheney, Kansas to maneuver autonomously through fields, equipped with spinning blades that cut through even the hardest and most stubborn stalks. Robots are in a position to keep crop damage to lower than 1% during the process, which is a much higher result than large-scale sprayers. Machine vision and learning help them discover field boundaries and obstacles in real time, while their smaller chassis allows them to be more agile than traditional heavy machinery and avoid crushing rows of crops.
By implementing Greenfield’s robot-as-a-service methodology, farmers will now not have to buy their very own sprayers, which cost $1 million or more, and will have the option to cut back post-seeding herbicide application costs, Brauer says.
A big part of why herbicide use is so problematic is that long-term use of chemicals like glyphosate has led to generations of superweeds that have turn into resistant and require stronger, more toxic solutions. Moreover, because glyphosate acts as an enzyme inhibitor, it will probably also inhibit the growth of the very crops it is intended to assist, while harming other species endemic to local biomes.
In recent years, many farmers have moved away from farming and as an alternative adopted regenerative practices. Ideas like cover crops and no-till are not latest, but they are being rediscovered as effective methods of naturally controlling weeds in addition to returning nutrients back to the soil – and subsequently “regenerative.” These practices emphasize maintaining the integrity of the soil by keeping it intact, allowing it to build a healthy ecosystem that helps prevent erosion, retains water, and even draws carbon from the air and back into the ground. The result is soil that increases the nutrient density of the crops it grows, which also implies that when the growing season comes, the crops are stronger and more vigorous.
However, adopting latest practices while maintaining seasonal calendars could be taxing and difficult, and sometimes unimaginable at the pace and scale required. Greenfield Robotics provides an automated solution. Unlike sprayers, which require human operation and can only be operated safely during the day, Greenfield robots operate on lithium-ion batteries that last five hours at a time while weeding. Because they follow paths drawn by artificial intelligence based on drone imagery overhead, they will run deep into the night without any problem. In the event of a storm, it might take a week for the ground to harden enough for heavy machinery to return to work, but soft ground and mud are not a major problem for lighter robots. All these aspects allow robots to shave entire days off from a tedious, expensive and crucial task that should be performed several times a 12 months.
Implementing Greenfield’s robots-as-a-service solutions provides farmers with a solution that delivers triple advantages and has a positive impact on the climate, consumers and farmers’ financial results.
Greenfield Robotics is not only changing agricultural practices on individual farms, but also setting a precedent for the global agricultural sector. By demonstrating the effectiveness and efficiency of automated weed control, Greenfield Robotics opens the door to more sustainable farming methods around the world.
This technology-driven approach is steadily shaping considering and practices around regenerative agriculture. Greenfield Robotics has been operating in farmlands for three years and continues to expand its reach.
Each 12 months, systems take major steps forward, and Greenfield Robotics strives to enhance its systems, increase the capabilities of its robots by developing latest tools for farmers, and scale its solutions to fulfill global demands. Bauer shares details about its research and development: “Whether it’s improving sensors that may analyze plant tissue in real time and discover nutrient deficiencies, or adding cover cropping capabilities, the team is all the time working to develop additional functions for the fleet.
Greenfield Robotics is at the forefront of innovation in agriculture and receives industry-wide support. With the support of major industry players like Chipotle, ILS Beef and the 11,000-customer MKC Farmers Cooperative, Greenfield is paving the way for a latest era where technology and traditional agriculture work hand in hand.
By helping farms implement concepts like cover crops and no-till, Bauer and Greenfield Robotics are bringing agriculture back to the future. By combining proven practices with cutting-edge technology, it is paving the way for a healthier and more sustainable future. The possibility of completely removing toxic herbicides from crops and our food is within sight.
If you prefer to to participate in the Greenfield Robotics mission, visit the website to learn more: https://investgreenfieldrobotics.com/
*Disclaimer: When making an investment decision, investors must rely on their very own evaluation of the issuer and the terms of the offering, including the merits and risks involved. Greenfield Robotics has filed a Form C with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with its offering, a copy of which could be obtained Here.*