US agricultural sectors, grappling with persistent labor shortages, are increasingly adopting automation. This trend is especially noticeable in the specialty and permanent crops sector, which includes fruits, vegetables, and nursery plants. A 2022 report from Western Growers revealed that approximately 70% of such US growers have embraced some form of automation, primarily to aid with harvests and mitigate rising labor costs.
A Burro robot assisting harvest in a vineyard. Image: Burro.
In light of this, Pennsylvania's Burro recently announced a timely Series B fundraising round, raising $24 million. The round was co-led by Catalyst Investors and Translink Capital, with participation from existing investors like S2G Ventures, Toyota Ventures, F-Prime Capital, and Cibus Capital. Burro, with over 300 harvest assist robots deployed in fields, will utilize the funds to expand its product line and reach more agriculture areas facing labor issues.
While specialty crops require a significant portion of the industry's labor, they only account for a third of agricultural revenue. Burro's CEO, Charlie Andersen, highlights the challenge of developing autonomous solutions for these labor-intensive sectors. Burro's machine, an 'autonomous mobility company', assists with harvesting by following human workers and carrying harvested goods, thus saving time and reducing labor intensity.
Andersen believes that the company's mobility capabilities can be extended to larger towing applications across a broader range of nurseries, indicating a potential market expansion as autonomy is integrated into new settings.
Source: agfundernews.com