upcoming
Hort Connection
Brisbane, Australia
News & Events
More articles are available in French and German.
News
Experience Usecase
Sort by date
No events were found that match your criteria.
Events
All countries
Sort by date
Past Events
Show more
Media Center
We provide the contact details for audiovisual facilities.
We will be at New York Farm Show 2025, the Northeast’s premier indoor farm show, from February 20-22 in Syracuse, New York (Booth D809), showcasing advanced precision spraying technology for efficient farming.
In 2025, precision agriculture takes another step forward with the integration of the Carrot algorithm in our catalog. After a season of successful field tests, this innovation has proved its effectiveness in optimizing carrot harvesting while reducing costs and environmental impact. Designed to meet farmers' specific challenges, the Carrot algorithm enables targeted, ultra-precise spraying, proactively eliminating weeds and facilitating clean, profitable harvests.
Advantages thanks to our Plant-by-Plant technology:
→ Reducing manual weeding
→ Healthier, more vigorous crops
→ Efficient spot treatments and less phytotoxicity
When carrots are harvested, weeds wrap themselves around the carpet. This is a real problem. We have to remove them by hand, which slows down the carrot harvest considerably. Thanks to the ARA treatment, the harvest is cleaner, which saves us considerable labor costs.
Antoine Proffit | CUMA les Lagunes, France
The Carrot Algorithm Wins an Award!
The international LAMMA trade show in England awarded our new Carrot algorithm the “Silver” prize for innovation of the year in the “Arable Crop Care” category!
From a BETA algorithm to a validated, marketed algorithm
Before each launch, our algorithms undergo rigorous field testing. For a full season, they are made available free of charge to users to evaluate their performance under real-life conditions. This process ensures that each algorithm perfectly meets farmers' needs before being included in our catalog.
Would you like to take part in the tests or discover the BETA algorithms currently available? Contact your dealer to find out more and benefit from the latest innovations in precision agriculture.
The full list of algorithms is available here.
Article Summary
Introduction:
It is estimated that weeds are responsible for 34% of crop losses. Therefore, weed control is the greatest challenge in agriculture to ensure food security while maintaining high health and nutritional standards. The ARA precision field sprayer from Ecorobotix (Fig. 1 A) is an efficient solution for chemical weed control. ARA uses artificial intelligence and highly precise, localized spraying technology (Fig. 1 B) to effectively combat weeds while achieving higher yields. The study compares different weed control methods: an untreated control (NT), ARA with selective products, ARA with non-selective products, and broadcast spraying.
Results:
- In 2023, the ARA field sprayer saved over 78.9% of herbicide quantities in weed control for onion crops over 1 hectare compared to traditional broadcast treatments.
- ARA showed a global weed elimination efficacy of 92% compared to 99% for the broadcast treatment, with fewer applications (5 with ARA compared to 9 conventional) and simultaneously preserving the integrity of the crops (Fig.2).
- Weed control with ARA ensures higher yields per hectare (67 t/ha) compared to conventional application (43 t/ha) and untreated control (59 t/ha).
Summary:
In summary, ARA significantly contributes to environmental protection by drastically reducing the use of plant protection products in crops. By eliminating weeds and reducing the phytotoxic effects of chemical weed control agents, the potential of crops is maximized.
Download the entire study here
Which new crop algorithms are under development?
- Dicots in wheat
- Carrots
- Volunteer potatoes in chicory
- Dock + Thistle
- Cotton
- Soy
Clients with an ARA sprayer can access these crop algorithms free of charge for a limited time. New clients in 2024 can also benefit from this opportunity. Clients interested in testing these algorithms are encouraged to reach out to the Ecorobotix sales team to update their ARA.
Among the algorithms, the carrot algorithm stands out as particularly robust, already garnering praise from early adopters, with recent feedback showcasing impressive results in a client's field in France.
Ensuring the versatility of the ARA sprayer across various fields and crop types is a top priority for Ecorobotix, necessitating the regular introduction of new algorithms. Ecorobotix's Plant-by-Plant AI Software boasts a comprehensive range of approximately 20 different crop algorithms, offering versatility and adaptability across various spraying methods. In addition to herbicides, the ARA sprayer can precisely apply insecticides, fungicides, fertilizers, and biostimulants, reducing up to as much as 95% of these chemicals. For crops not covered by specific algorithms, the software's All-Green algorithm or Row Algorithm provides adaptable solutions.
The ARA sprayer is available in approximately 15 European countries, Canada, South America, and the United States. Those interested in harnessing the power of ARA can reach out to the Ecorobotix sales team for inquiries.
An INSEAD MBA graduate, Dominique Mégret is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and venture capital investor. For the last 17 years, he has been building Swisscom Ventures, the leading Swiss VC fund, from scratch up to over $600m under management and advisory with a portfolio of 90 investments, including Ecorobotix. Before Swisscom, he co-founded and led as CEO the tech incubator Kick-Start Ventures in London. He has been on the board of Directors of Ecorobotix for the last two years.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dominique as CEO, who brings a wealth of startup and scale-up experience to guide the company through its upcoming phase of expansion.”
Hans-Peter Metzler, Ecorobotix Chairman of the Board
In Dominque’s influential book, “Deeptech Nation - What Future for the Swiss Model?” he passionately advocates for Switzerland as a world-class cluster for R&D-led innovation. He has been supporting entrepreneurs to raise their ambition level and aim for global category leadership, especially at the intersection of AI, precision mechanics/robotics and agronomic/biology technologies, like Ecorobotix.
“As someone from a farming family who grew up with the use of phytosanitary products, the discussion about reducing chemicals and their impacts on the environment and our health is close to my heart. I am firmly committed to helping find effective technical solutions to address this issue on a large scale.”
Dominique Mégret, Ecorobotix CEO
For media inquiries, contact Ecorobotix at media@ecorobotix.com.
AI Software Release 3.0 for ARA Smart Sprayer
Release 3.0 introduces the following five new innovative capabilities:
????Targeted Treatment with Size Control
????Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon Differentiation
????Revolutionary Row Algorithm
????️Customizable Crop Safety Zones
????"Spray All but Crop" Mode.
→ Learn more
????Ecorobotix Creates US Subsidiary
Ecorobotix's US expansion was marked by the establishment of Ecorobotix Inc. ARA now availabe for reservation in America!
→ Read Article
????Increasing Sugar Beet Biomass with ARA
We conducted a field trial aimed to assess the effectiveness of the ARA ultra-high precision sprayer in sugar beet crops.
→ Read Article
???? Ecorobotix is Recruiting
- Technical Writer
- Import/Export Assistant
- Ingénieur Technico Commercial (Agronomie)
- Purchasing Engineer
- Area Sales Manager (USA)
- Area Sales Engineer (USA)
- Office Manager (USA)
- Product Manager (USA)
- Pre-sales Engineer (USA)
????????Reducing Phytotoxicity Levels in Onions Thanks to ARA
The onion field was divided into two parts to compare phytotoxicity in crop herbicide treatment between conventional application and the ARA ultra-precision sprayer.
→ The results are stunning, read article
????Ecorobotix Kicks off North American Sales of Ultra-High Precision Sprayer
Ecorobotix is proud to announce the launch of ARA in North America, arriving first in Canada. The company has sold two machines so far to two of Canada’s top vegetable growers.
???? Upcoming Events
The NAK Farmland Days and Agricultural Machinery Show
Agricultural exhibition in Hungary
???????? Hungary – June 7-8 | Presence of our partner evo-farming
The Field Show Den Pole
Organization by Leading Farmers CZ Czech Republic
???????? Nabočany – June 13-14
???? Ecorobotix is Recruiting
Our team is growing! We are looking for different profiles:
- Electronics Engineer
- Technicien(ne) R&D Machines Agricoles
- Monteur Câbleur
- Logisticien
- Import/Export Assistant
- Procurement Department Trainee
- Aide Comptable
- Field Test Engineer
- Ingénieur Technico Commercial (Agronomie)
Ecorobotix Completes Its Largest Capital Raise to Date.
On May 09, we announced the closing of an exceptional investment round. This investment will enable us to accelerate the growth of our AI crop recognition technology and increase production of our ultra-high precision smart sprayer.
→ Ecorobotix Raises $52M in New Funding
????️Ecorobotix Represented in More Than 15 Countries
These investments will enable Ecorobotix to expand its distribution network for the ARA field sprayer worldwide. Currently, our ARA field sprayer is distributed in around 15 countries.
→ The updated list of our distributors
???? The 2023 Growing Season Has Begun!
After a long and rather dry winter season, spring is looking to be a little complicated for farmers here in Switzerland and across Europe. Despite these challenges, the growing season is off to a great start and our ARA is already out and about, treating various seasonal crops throughout Europe.
???? Upcoming Events
Déserhb’Avenir
The latest in combined mechanical weed control
???????? Santeau – May 16-17
The NAK Farmland Days and Agricultural Machinery Show
Agricultural exhibition in Hungary
???????? Hungary – June 7-8 | Presence of our partner Tempel Kereskedelmi Es Szolgaltato
The field show Den pole
Organization by Leading Farmers CZ Czech Republic
???????? Nabočany – June 13-14
???? Ecorobotix in the Press
In recent weeks, we have been featured in several media outlets.
???? Ecorobotix is Recruiting
Our team is growing! We are looking for different profiles:
YVERDON-LES-BAINS, SWITZERLAND – 09 MAY 2023 : Ecorobotix, the Swiss manufacturer of ARA, an AI powered plant-by-plant recognition and ultra-high precision smart spraying system, announced the completion of a $52 million (CHF 46 million) funding round, jointly led by AQTON Private Equity GmbH and Cibus Capital LLP, with additional investments from Swisscanto Invest/Swisscanto Growth Fund I, Yara Growth Ventures, Flexstone Partners, and from existing investors including Swisscom Ventures, BASF Venture Capital, 4FOX Ventures, and Verve Ventures. The funding will accelerate Ecorobotix’s geographic expansion across new and existing markets and accelerate new product development.
Stefan Quandt, owner of AQTON PE (co-lead investor), explained his company’s decision to invest in Ecorobotix:
I’m looking forward to helping grow businesses like Ecorobotix which are having a positive impact on agriculture and the environment. Ultra-high precision agriculture and solutions like ARA from Ecorobotix are critical to improving farmer efficiency and helping move towards an eco-friendlier future.
Stefan Quandt, owner of AQTON PE
With customers in 15 European markets, these investments will further accelerate Ecorobotix’s rapidly growing business. Ecorobotix will use the new capital to expedite the growth of ARA worldwide, particularly in the Americas. The capital will also help reinforce the company’s mission to radically change agriculture for the better by offering smart, innovative, and sustainable crop treatment solutions. ARA saves farmers money and makes their lives easier, while simultaneously respecting the environment by massively reducing input costs about 70-95%, increasing crop yields, reducing the impact on soil, and preserving biodiversity.
We are proud to be working with investors who clearly see the environmental benefits of our ultra-high precision technology. With these new investments, we will deliver ARA to more farmers, in more markets, increasing agricultural productivity while protecting the environment and reducing CO2 impact.
Ecorobotix CEO, Simon Aspinall
For this financing Ecorobotix worked with UBS Growth Advisory and Oaklins France as advisors. The capital raise included $48.3M (CHF 43.1M) of new equity and $3.4M (CHF 3M) of new financing facilities thanks to the FOEN Swiss Technology Fund. The new capital will enable Ecorobotix to grow into new markets, expand the product range, and build on the existing commercial success of ARA in Europe.
Ecorobotix
Ecorobotix is a Swiss company, Certified B Corporation®, founded to radically change agriculture for the better to respect the environment by reducing chemical/energy use and impact on soil. Ecorobotix developed ARA, a revolutionary plant-by-plant data solution and ultra-high precision crop treatment that reduces the use of herbicides, pesticides, growth treatments and liquid fertilizers by 70-95%, while increasing crop yields by 5% or more and significantly decreasing CO2 emissions. Using AI technology and its unique ultra-high precision spraying system, ARA can recognize individual plants, classify them in real-time, and spray the weeds with an unprecedented precision of 2.4x2.4in (6x6 cm) without affecting the surrounding crops or soil.
The following investors are listed in alphabetical order.
4FOX Ventures
4FOX Ventures is a leading healthcare and technology focused venture capital team managing investments in the most innovative and fast-growing companies in Switzerland. 4FOX Ventures invests in the sectors of technology, agriculture, big data, and artificial intelligence.
AQTON Private Equity GmbH
AQTON PE is a holding company wholly owned by the German entrepreneur Stefan Quandt and combines both venture and private equity investments.
BASF Venture Capital GmbH (BVC)
BASF creates chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF Venture Capital GmbH also contributes to this corporate purpose. Founded in 2001, BASF Venture Capital invests in Europe, United States, Canada, China, India, Brazil, and Israel with a goal to generate new growth potential for current and future business areas of BASF by investing in young companies and funds. BASF venture investments include decarbonization, circular economy, agtech, new materials, digitization, and new, disruptive business models.
Cibus Capital LLP
Cibus Capital LLP is the London-based investment advisor to the Cibus funds. The Cibus funds partner with food and agriculture companies that provide investors with a risk-adjusted return on capital and a sustainable competitive advantage. Cibus has raised over USD 1bn to invest in two strategies: mid-market growth/buyout investments in food production and processing businesses and late stage agrifood technology companies.
Flexstone Partners
Flexstone Partners invests, directly or through funds, in well-managed, ethically responsible companies sensitive to the ESG agenda, such as having a minimal impact on the environment and adhering to fair labor, human rights and sustainable business practices. Flexstone Partners is an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers, one of the world’s largest asset managers.
Swisscanto Invest
Swisscanto Invest is the asset management arm of the Zürcher Kantonalbank group, one of Switzerland's largest fund providers, developing high-quality investment and pension solutions for private investors, companies, and institutions. The Swisscanto Growth Fund provides capital to companies in the expansion phase active in the information, communication, technology (ICT) as well as in the healthcare sectors, mainly in Switzerland and opportunistically abroad. The Swisscanto Growth Fund aims at creating added value during the market penetration by supporting its portfolio companies with capital, know-how and access to international partners for further expansion until a successful exit.
Swisscom Ventures
Swisscom Ventures is the venture capital arm of Swisscom AG, the leading telecom and IT provider in Switzerland. Swisscom Ventures invests both in Switzerland and internationally in early-stage digital companies that have the potential to become global tech winners.
About Verve Ventures
Verve Ventures is a network and technology driven venture firm who have invested in over 140 science and technology startups across Europe. Based in Zurich, Switzerland, Verve Ventures has an annual investment volume of more than EUR 60M and belongs to the top 10% most active startup investors in Europe.
Yara Growth Ventures
Yara Growth Ventures is the venture investment team within Yara International ASA investing in disruptive startups in the agri-food industry globally in order to advance the mission of responsibly feeding the world and protecting the planet.
For inquiries contact media@ecorobotix.com
PDF to download on our pressroom : ecorobotix.prowly.com/