Orchard Vision System Transforms Farm Equipment into AI-Powered Data Collectors

Orchard Robotics is revolutionizing agricultural robotics by focusing on the crucial aspect of data collection and analysis. While many existing agricultural robots perform tasks like picking fruits or killing weeds, Orchard Robotics aims to enhance these functions by providing actionable information through its sensing module.

Rather than developing fully automated robotic systems from scratch, Orchard Robotics offers a modular solution that can be attached to existing farm vehicles like tractors. This approach lowers the barrier of entry for farmers who may find fully automated systems cost-prohibitive.

The company’s system, initially designed for apple crops, utilizes high-speed cameras to capture detailed information about every tree. Orchard OS software then employs AI to analyze this data and create precise maps, mapping out every bud, fruit, and tree in the orchard. This level of data granularity surpasses traditional methods, which rely on manual sampling of only a small fraction of fruits.

Through GPS mapping, farmers gain comprehensive insights into their crops’ health and yield, enabling them to make informed decisions about resource allocation and management. Founded in 2022 at Cornell University, Orchard Robotics has already conducted successful field testing with farmers, leading to significant investor interest.

In a recent funding round, Orchard Robotics secured $3.2 million in seed funding, led by General Catalyst. Other participants include Humba Ventures, Soma Capital, Correlation Ventures, VU Venture Partners, and Genius Ventures. This funding will support the company’s expansion, research and development efforts, and market penetration initiatives.