A Dutch agritech startup, Odd.Bot, secured €2.6 million in funding through the European Innovation Council’s (EIC) Accelerator program. The funding is earmarked for advancing their autonomous weeding robot called ‘Weed Whacko,’ which can potentially provide an eco-friendly alternative to chemical herbicides in agriculture.

Company overview

Established in 2018, based in Rotterdam, Odd.Bot aims to come up with solutions for robotic farms fighting labor shortage and environmental adversities. Its key product is the Weed Whacko, an autonomous weed detector that removes weeds without chemical interventions, thus having the potential in providing sustainable farming practices. 

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The Weed Whacko: A Technological Innovation

The Weed Whacko uses high-end sensors and artificial intelligence to detect and mechanically remove weeds among crops. This approach reduces the use of chemical herbicides and causes less soil disturbance than traditional mechanical weeding. The design of the robot enables it to work independently, thus increasing efficiency and minimizing the use of human labor in weeding operations.

Funding Details

EIC Accelerator: €2.6 Million Funding Milestone for Odd.Bot.
With EIC Accelerator funding of €2.6 million, Odd.Bot has entered a significant phase. It will enable the transition of Weed Whacko from its third prototype stage into full market readiness. This is because EIC Accelerator is noted for backing innovative startups that further Europe’s economic growth and sustainability objectives.

However, under this new funding, Odd.Bot intends to finally bring the Weed Whacko to market in 2024. The company is looking forward to providing the market with three to four units for the 2024 season, and the pricing of each robot will be on the range of €90,000 to €120,000, depending on the configuration. The Weed Whacko will weed approximately one hectare per day while working on crops as carrots, onions, and chicory, among others. 

The agricultural sector is increasingly being pushed to reduce chemical inputs as environmental concerns and regulatory changes increase. Odd.Bot’s Weed Whacko presents a mechanical approach to weed control that fits into the sustainable farming practice. Furthermore, the robot addresses labor shortages in agriculture by automating a labor-intensive task, thereby freeing up human resources for other uses.

Technical Details

The Weed Whacko is an autonomous crop field navigating four-wheeled vehicle. Its length, width, and height measure 205 centimeters, 170 centimeters, and 155 centimeters respectively. Two interchangeable lithium battery packs give it a drive time of up to 16 hours. 

It drives the rear wheels and powers the weeding elements. The robot can accommodate up to three weeding arms, allowing it to weed three crop rows simultaneously. The AI-driven weeding elements pick up weeds in the crop row and place them next to it to prevent regrowth. 

Modular Approach

In addition to the odd robot, Odd.Bot will sell the AI vision-controlled weeding modules themselves as the ‘Odd.Bot Weader.’ These modules can be mounted on a three-point frame at the rear of a standard tractor, thus providing options for farmers who should like to integrate the solution into existing hardware. Each weeding module is expected to be around €45,000. Every module was designed in a straightforward, plug-and-play way.

Environmental Impact

By eliminating the requirement to use chemical herbicides, the Weed Whacko contributes to reducing soil and water pollution, enhancing biodiversity, and improving soil health. This resonates with the world’s initiatives in adopting sustainable agricultural practices that mitigate environmental impact and support long-term food security.
Industry Reception

This development has drawn interest in the agricultural technology field. Indeed, it could be able to provide a more sustainable yet efficient means of weed management. This way, the firm, Odd.Bot, assumes the helm in the change towards ‘green’ farming.