Autonomous Agriculture Robot Company Raises $12M

AgTech startup Aigen has closed a series A funding round with $12 million for its solar-powered, autonomous robots.

The round was led by ReGen Ventures along with NEA, Cleveland Avenue, Incite and Susquehanna Private Equity Investments LLLP.

The latest funding round brings Aigen’s total amount raised to $19 million, which the company said will be used to build a 7,500-square-foot manufacturing and research and development facility to manufacture its solar-powered robotic fleet.

The company says the funds will be used to accelerate its manufacturing capacity and ramp up production to “create a new agricultural era that is both sustainable and scalable.”

Aigen’s Element robots are designed to automate the crop management process. They are fitted with an array of sensors to monitor and manage crops and use an advanced computer vision system to identify weeds and unwanted bugs.

The robots also leverage LTE connectivity for continuous monitoring capabilities, as well as AI, machine learning and solar power to create an eco-friendly tool for farmers that enables real-time insights into crop health.

The robotic system works without fossil fuels or any chemicals, making the weed management process more sustainable and working toward Aigen’s mission of decarbonizing the agricultural industry and promoting a healthier industry.

Related:Customizable Agricultural Robot Can Tackle Labor Shortages

"Agriculture is the intersection of human health and planetary health and that's why we focused on creating technology for farmers that is both profitable and sustainable,” said Kenny Lee, Aigen’s CEO. “Our robotic fleet empowers farmers to escape the conventional system of chemical dependency."

"Aigen wouldn't have been possible a few years ago, because the technology wasn't there,”  said Rich Wurden, Aigen’s chief technology officer. “Today, we have a great team working on the cutting edge of AI, robotics, electric motors and solar power,

“Thanks to technological advances in all those areas and the incredible work of our team, we are automating farming solutions that have worked for thousands of years and helping farmers get chemicals off their farms and out of our food."

Aigen is targeting a launch date of April 2024 for its robots, with the company saying the fleet will be rolled out on more than 20,000 acres of U.S. farmland to “transform weed control” and enable real-time farming insights.