FarmWise

FarmWise was founded in 2016 in San Francisco by Sebastien Boyer, a graduate of École Polytechnique and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Thomas Palomares, a graduate of École Polytechnique and Stanford University.{{cite journal|url=https://www.lajauneetlarouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/La_jaune_et_la_rouge_745_16-17.pdf|title=Sebastien Boyer et Thomas Palomares: Un binôme fécond depuis l'École|trans-title=Sebastien Boyer and Thomas Palomares, a fruitful duo since school|language=French|page=17|journal=La Jaune et la Rouge|last=Laszlo|first=Pierre|issue=May 2019|volume=745|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108195752/https://www.lajauneetlarouge.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/La_jaune_et_la_rouge_745_16-17.pdf|archive-date=January 8, 2021|access-date=January 8, 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2020/02/06/using-artificial-intelligence-agricultural-robots-are-on-the-rise|title=Using artificial intelligence, agricultural robots are on the rise|last=Dean|first=West|newspaper=The Economist|date=February 6, 2020|quote=Sebastien Boyer, an ai expert who has worked for ibm and Facebook, co-founded FarmWise, a San Francisco-based company, in 2016 to develop farming robots. After field trials, the firm is about to launch its first agribot, called Titan. This can navigate autonomously around a field of vegetables, such as lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower, identifying individual plants and their location. As it moves, Titan deploys a series of rotary blades, which are automatically adjusted to slice into the soil at an appropriate depth to dispatch any weeds. Future versions will do other jobs, such as seeding and microdosing fertiliser and pest treatments directly to individual plants. 'It is personalised care for plants,' says Mr Boyer.|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200229032810/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2020/02/06/using-artificial-intelligence-agricultural-robots-are-on-the-rise|archive-date=February 29, 2020|access-date=January 8, 2020}}{{subscription required}} With a first prototype of weeding robot, the founders went through The Alchemist Accelerator program and the THRIVE by SVG Accelerator program in 2017.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/17/farmwise-and-its-weed-pulling-agribot-harvest-14-5m-in-funding/|title=FarmWise and its weed-pulling agribot harvest $14.5M in funding|last=Coldewey|first=Devin|website=TechCrunch|date=September 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918000110/https://techcrunch.com/2019/09/17/farmwise-and-its-weed-pulling-agribot-harvest-14-5m-in-funding/|archive-date=September 18, 2019|access-date=January 11, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://thespoon.tech/applications-are-open-for-thrives-ag-tech-accelerator-program/|title=Applications Are Open for THRIVE's Ag Tech Accelerator Program|last=Marston|first=Jennifer|website=thespoon.tech|date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101001607/https://thespoon.tech/applications-are-open-for-thrives-ag-tech-accelerator-program/|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=January 12, 2021}}

In December 2017, the firm closed a $5.7 million seed round from investors who included Playground Global, Felicis Ventures, Lemnos, Basis Set Ventures and Valley Oak Investments.{{cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2017/12/20/the-funded-14-bay-area-startup-rounds-rake-in-400m.html|title=The Funded: 14 Bay Area startup rounds rake in $400M at midweek|newspaper=Silicon Valley Business Journal|last=Schubarth|first=Cromwell|date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105104412/https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2017/12/20/the-funded-14-bay-area-startup-rounds-rake-in-400m.html|archive-date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2019/05/06/the-farm-automation-breakthrough-bringing-the-high-tech-west-coast-and-rural-rust-belt-together/|title=The Farm Automation Breakthrough Bringing The High-Tech West Coast And Rural Rust Belt Together|work=Forbes|last=Vinoski|first=Jim|date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108002634/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2019/05/06/the-farm-automation-breakthrough-bringing-the-high-tech-west-coast-and-rural-rust-belt-together/|archive-date=November 8, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021}} Following the seed round, Playground's Bruce Leak entered the board of directors.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/funding-snapshot-farming-equipment-startup-farmwise-gathers-5-7-million-seed-round-1513794633|title=Funding Snapshot: Farming Equipment Startup FarmWise Gathers $5.7 Million in Seed Round|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=December 20, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210105140201/https://www.wsj.com/articles/funding-snapshot-farming-equipment-startup-farmwise-gathers-5-7-million-seed-round-1513794633|archive-date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{subscription required}}

In 2018, once the second generation of the FarmWise robot was up and running, the company started pilot programs with two early customers from the Central Coast of California and tied bonds with the Western Growers Association. It then became a resident of Western Growers Association Center for Innovation and Technology.{{cite journal|url=https://www.wga.com/magazine/2012/03/08/farmwise-completes-first-commercial-season|title=FarmWise Completes First Commercial Season|last=Linden|first=Tim|journal=Western Grower & Shipper|issue=November/December 2020|date=November 17, 2020|publisher=Western Growers Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111170933/https://www.wga.com/magazine/2012/03/08/farmwise-completes-first-commercial-season|archive-date=January 11, 2021|access-date=January 11, 2021}}

In March 2019, the firm partnered with Michigan-based manufacturing and automotive company Roush to build the third generation of its robotic weeders, Titan FT-35.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/27/farmwise-turns-to-roush-to-build-autonomous-vegetable-weeders/|title=FarmWise turns to Roush to build autonomous vegetable weeders|last=Burns|first=Matt|website=TechCrunch|date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210105145204/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/27/farmwise-turns-to-roush-to-build-autonomous-vegetable-weeders/|archive-date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2019/05/06/the-farm-automation-breakthrough-bringing-the-high-tech-west-coast-and-rural-rust-belt-together/|title=The Farm Automation Breakthrough Bringing The High-Tech West Coast And Rural Rust Belt Together|last=Vinoski|first=Jim|work=Forbes|date=May 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506182140/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimvinoski/2019/05/06/the-farm-automation-breakthrough-bringing-the-high-tech-west-coast-and-rural-rust-belt-together/|archive-date=May 6, 2019|access-date=January 5, 2021}}

In September 2019, the company raised $14.5 million in Series A financing led by Calibrate Ventures.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/vc-daily-gitlabs-valuation-boost-crypto-custody-datadog-raises-ipo-range-women-in-vc-nominations-11568810726|title=VC Daily: GitLab's Valuation Boost; Crypto Custody; Datadog Raises IPO Range; Women in VC Nominations|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=September 18, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210105135233/https://www.wsj.com/articles/vc-daily-gitlabs-valuation-boost-crypto-custody-datadog-raises-ipo-range-women-in-vc-nominations-11568810726|archive-date=January 5, 2021|access-date=January 5, 2021}}{{subscription required}}{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandrawilson1/2019/09/17/farmwise-raises-14-5-million-to-replace-herbicides-with-roving-robots/|title=FarmWise Raises $14.5 Million To Replace Herbicides With Roving Robots|last=Wilson|first=Alexandra|work=Forbes|date=September 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115024335/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexandrawilson1/2019/09/17/farmwise-raises-14-5-million-to-replace-herbicides-with-roving-robots/|archive-date=November 15, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021}}

In October 2020, the firm opened a location in Yuma, Arizona and started doing work in Imperial Valley, California.{{cite web|url=https://kyma.com/news/home-grown/2020/12/07/home-grown-robots-raising-the-bar-on-ag/|title=Home Grown: Robots raising the bar on ag|last=Hettinger|first=April|publisher=KYMA-DT|date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223162528/https://kyma.com/news/home-grown/2020/12/07/home-grown-robots-raising-the-bar-on-ag/|archive-date=December 23, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021}}

FarmWise builds and operates automated mechanical weeders. Rather than selling their equipment to farmers, it provides its service for a fee per acre.{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2019/04/02/performance-car-builder-roush-developing-self-driving-weeders-for-farms/3310069002/|title=Roush's next power play? Self-driving weeders|last=Noble|first=Breana|newspaper=The Detroit News|date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190519041702/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/2019/04/02/performance-car-builder-roush-developing-self-driving-weeders-for-farms/3310069002/|archive-date=May 19, 2019|access-date=January 11, 2021}}

File:Titan FT35 FarmWise3.jpg

FarmWise relies on a patented technology which combines AI, computer vision and robotics to remove weeds in vegetable fields.{{US patent|16539390}} The company's latest machine model, Titan FT-35, consists of a self-propelled, tractor and a smart implement that encompasses a set of cameras and sensors, and robotic arms.

When working on the field, the machine uses an AI-enabled detection feature to actuate blades around and in-between the crops and in the furrows.{{cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/automation-farms-weed-remover-1f408e36-e7b9-4aa8-914b-9ae1d53b1598.html|title=Putting robots down on the farm|last=Walsh|first=Bryan|website=Axios|date=June 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231025241/https://www.axios.com/automation-farms-weed-remover-1f408e36-e7b9-4aa8-914b-9ae1d53b1598.html|archive-date=December 31, 2020|access-date=January 11, 2021}} In order for their weeding system to operate successfully, the team trained machine learning algorithms on millions of crop images, so that the machine can differentiate between crops and weeds and apprehend the 3D geometry of each plant it encounters.{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/five-roles-robots-will-play-future-farming-180973242/|title=Five Roles Robots Will Play in the Future of Farming|last=Lallensack|first=Rachael|work=Smithsonian|publisher=Smithsonian Institution|date=September 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127181839/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/five-roles-robots-will-play-future-farming-180973242/|archive-date=November 27, 2020|access-date=January 11, 2021}} The software is updated every week, using new field data.

The machine is built to work on multiple crops and keep expanding its set of crops using machine learning computer software. Beyond weeding, the company is adapting its equipment to perform more activities on the field.{{cite web|url=https://civileats.com/2020/09/29/automated-harvest-is-coming-what-will-it-mean-for-farmworkers-and-rural-communities/|title=The Robots are Coming to Harvest Your Food. What Will it Mean for Farmworkers and Rural Communities?|last=Greenaway|first=Twilight|website=Civil Eats|date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101044212/https://civileats.com/2020/09/29/automated-harvest-is-coming-what-will-it-mean-for-farmworkers-and-rural-communities/|archive-date=November 1, 2020|access-date=January 11, 2021}}

FarmWise won several industry awards including AgFunder Innovation Awards in "Most Innovative U.S. Start-up Pre-Series A" nomination in 2018,{{cite web|url=https://www.agriculture.com/news/technology/finalists-announced-for-2018-agfunder-innovation-awards|title=Finalists Announced for 2018 AgFunder Innovation Awards|last=Bedford|first=Laurie|website=agriculture.com|date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130023159/https://www.agriculture.com/news/technology/finalists-announced-for-2018-agfunder-innovation-awards|archive-date=January 30, 2018|access-date=January 5, 2021}} "The Young Tech Entrepreneurs" French American Business Awards (FABA) award to the company's founders in 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.francetoday.com/culture/france_in_america/french-american-business-awards-2019/|title=French American Business Awards Highlight French Economic Success|last=Sessums|first=Martha|website=FranceToday.com|date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813202823/https://www.francetoday.com/culture/france_in_america/french-american-business-awards-2019/|archive-date=August 13, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021}} and "Good Robot" award from Silicon Valley Robotics in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://svrobo.org/farmwise-wins-innovation-award-in-svr-good-robot-industry-awards/|title=Farmwise wins Innovation Award in SVR 'Good Robot' Industry Awards|last=Keay|first=Andra|publisher=Silicon Valley Robotics|date=December 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229203315/https://svrobo.org/farmwise-wins-innovation-award-in-svr-good-robot-industry-awards/|archive-date=December 29, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021}} FarmWise was recognized by the Business Insider,{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-that-will-boom-in-2019-according-to-vcs-2019-2|title=12 AI startups that will boom in 2019, according to VCs|work=Business Insider|last=Bort|first=Julie|date=February 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213045457/https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-startups-that-will-boom-in-2019-according-to-vcs-2019-2#atrium-using-ai-on-legal-documents-2|archive-date=February 13, 2019|access-date=January 5, 2021}} SVG Capital/THRIVE,{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennysplitter/2019/03/11/thrive-top-50-agtech/|title=How To Rank Agtech's Top 50, According to SVG-THRIVE|last=Splitter|first=Jenny|work=Forbes|date=March 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108011203/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jennysplitter/2019/03/11/thrive-top-50-agtech/|archive-date=November 8, 2020|access-date=January 5, 2021}} the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,{{cite web|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/your-next-salad-could-be-grown-by-a-robot|title=Top Tech 2020: Your Next Salad Could Be Grown by a Robot|last=Guizzo|first=Erico|publisher=Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers|date=January 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230224211/https://spectrum.ieee.org/robotics/industrial-robots/your-next-salad-could-be-grown-by-a-robot|archive-date=December 30, 2020|url-status=live|access-date=January 5, 2021}} and Time magazine in their coverage of innovative upcoming technologies.

In 2018, Forbes included the company's founders into its "2019 30 Under 30: Manufacturing & Industry" list and MIT Technology Review recognized Sébastien Boyer in its "Innovators Under 35 Europe 2018" award.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5be2175d31358e5b4335bbb9/thomas-palomares-25-l-seb/|title=Thomas Palomares, 25, (L), Sebastien Boyer, 26|work=Forbes|date=November 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025095543/https://www.forbes.com/pictures/5be2175d31358e5b4335bbb9/thomas-palomares-25-l-seb/#41d7e5d261ed|archive-date=October 25, 2019|access-date=January 5, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.innovatorsunder35.com/the-list/s%C3%A9bastien-boyer/|title=Sébastien Boyer|last=Sotres|first=Marta|work=MIT Technology Review|year=2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108183440/https://www.innovatorsunder35.com/the-list/s%C3%A9bastien-boyer/|archive-date=January 8, 2021|access-date=January 8, 2020}}

In 2020, the company was listed as one of the leading vendors of Robotic Weeding Machines by analysts.[https://www.technavio.com/report/robotic-weeding-machines-market-industry-analysis Robotic Weeding Machines Market by Product and Geography September 2020 - Forecast and Analysis 2020-2024]

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• {{Official|https://farmwiselabs.com/}}

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Category:American companies established in 2016

Category:Robotics companies of the United States

Category:Manufacturing companies based in California

Category:Technology companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area

Category:Agriculture companies of the United States

Category:Manufacturing companies established in 2016

Category:Technology companies established in 2016