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Muddy Machines Ltd. this week stated it has acquired nearly all of key belongings and mental property from Fox Robotics Ltd. Farnham, U.Okay.-based Fox Robotics was a startup targeted on the challenges and operations of sentimental fruit farms.
Fox Robotics is to not be confused with Fox Robotics Inc., an Austin, Texas-based supplier of autonomous fork vans that’s nonetheless in operation.
“We’re thrilled to combine Fox Robotics’ modern car into our lineup,” stated Chris Chavasse, CEO of Muddy Machines. “Their know-how aligns completely with our mission to unravel labor challenges in horticulture with electrical robots that perform labor-intensive fieldwork and enhance employee productiveness.”
Fox’s Hugo RT is now Squirrel
With its acquisition of Fox, Muddy Machines stated it now presents growers a wider collection of autonomous methods. The firm will change the identify of Fox Robotics’ Hugo RT platform to Squirrel.
Squirrel is a competitor to the sector robotic of Burro Robotics. This class of cell robots autonomously transports materials from one level to a different on the farm.
The newly renamed Squirrel robotic has a payload of 200 kg (441 lb.) and a high velocity of three m/s (6.7 mph). It measures 107 x 63 cm (42.1 x 24.8 in.) and contains an built-in weighing desk.
Muddy Machines stated it plans to supply extra merchandise to fulfill growers‘ wants for extra environment friendly operations.
The Hugo RT has been renamed Squirrel following the acquisition of Fox Robotics Ltd. | Credit score: Muddy Machines
Muddy Machines builds on Sprout
Muddy Machine’s present robotic, Sprout, is a precision agriculture platform for specialty crops grown in open fields. Its preliminary software, a selective inexperienced asparagus harvester, was efficiently trialed earlier this yr.
With companions, the Chiswick, U.Okay.-based firm is growing extra instruments for precision weeding, planting, and spraying. “This versatility unlocks true precision agriculture and the cultivation of high-value subject greens,” it stated.
It added that Sprout will prolong its attain into the berry and fruit sector. Able to working each outdoor and in polytunnels, the robotic is initially serving as an autonomous provider for heavy hundreds. Muddy Machines stated Sprout can enhance employee productiveness and deal with labor shortages.
“By combining the strengths of Sprout and Squirrel, we’re providing a complete suite of electrical robotic options that instantly sort out the labor challenges confronted by the horticulture business,” added Chavasse. “Our robots are designed to help farm employees by finishing up labor-intensive duties, making their jobs simpler and extra environment friendly.”
Muddy Machines is at present elevating funds to speed up the supply of its merchandise to the market.
The Sprout is an autonomous, precision agriculture platform. | Credit score: Muddy Machines