The rising number of startups in the agricultural sector is not alien to many. Agriculture is believed to be the next big thing in global markets where entrepreneurs and investors are looking forward to tap the potential the sector possesses. The maximum number of startups that are being launched these days aim at digitizing the agriculture sector through means of using remote sensing, artificial intelligence, GIS etc. One such approach has been taken by a company named Carbon Robotics, about which we’ll talk in detail.
CARBON ROBOTICS: INTRODUCTION
Carbon Robotics is pioneering the next revolution in agriculture through the deployment of innovative technology and hardware. By leveraging artificial intelligence and laser technology, Carbon Robotics’ revolutionary, high-precision approach improves crop yield, provides safer working conditions for farmers, reduces overall costs associated with modern farming, and creates sustainable paths to regenerative and organic produce. Founded in 2018, Carbon is led by Isilon Systems co-founder Paul Mikesell, who sold Isilon for $2.25 billion in 2010 and spent time at Uber and Facebook before embarking on another entrepreneurial journey.
Source- The Robo Report 
Source- Robotics and Automation News 
Source- Carbon Robotics
WHY IN NEWS?
The Seattle-based startup has just landed $27 million to help meet demand. This latest round of financing brings the company’s overall funding to $36 million with investments from Anthos Capital, Ignition Capital, Fuse Venture Partners and Voyager Capital. Investors are putting more cash behind the self-driving weed-zapping machines made by Carbon Robotics that are attracting attention from farmers across the world. In April, Carbon Robotics revealed its next-generation Autonomous Weeder, an autonomous robot that utilizes high-power lasers to eradicate weeds through thermal energy, without disturbing the soil. Its AI-powered autonomous robot uses computer vision software to identify weeds growing in fields, and then zaps them with precision 150-watt thermal bursts from lasers. The company has already sold out of its 2021 and 2022 models of the robot, reporting more than $20 million in bookings. Its technology gives farmers a way to eliminate weeds without pesticides; to improve soil quality; to grow more organic produce; and to address both the ongoing labor shortage and increasing wages.
Source- Tech Crunch 
Source- Geekwire 
Source- Business Wire
“Weeding is one of the biggest challenges farmers face, especially with the rise of herbicide-resistant weeds and increasing interest in organic and regenerative methods. This round of investment will enable us to scale our operations to meet the increasing demand for this technology.”
Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics.
With 263 herbicide-resistant species across 71 countries, the company has seen a high demand for its products, securing 12 new customers. The company, previously known as Maka Autonomous Robots, is not yet profitable. Mikesell, who studied computer science at the University of Washington, declined to provide revenue metrics. Carbon has 20 employees and expects to triple headcount within 18 months.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR AGRICULTURE?
The popularity of these new technologies is immense and as investors are showing keen interest in such initiatives, this could pave way for a digital revolution in agriculture. With companies like Carbon Robotics getting success and acceptance from farmers, automation in the agricultural fields is not very far as it seemed earlier. However the adoption of these tools have been seen with only the big players in the farming sector, little is known about the response that will be generated from countries like India that have a majority of marginal farmers. It will be interesting to see the kind of response that is generated throughout the world with digitalization and automation of agriculture.