Kubota invests in plant growth monitoring startup
Japanese manufacturer Kubota is investing in US startup Bloomfield Robotics, a plant growth monitoring services company.
This is reported by the publication futurefarming.com.
Bloomfield Robotics uses image analysis technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to assess plant growth and identify pests on trees, blueberry and blueberry vineyards and bushes.
Bloomfield cameras can reportedly be installed on any vehicle between plantations. They collect graphical data on the state of crops, such as color, ripeness and size of fruits, as well as the state of leaves. SHI processes, analyzes and evaluates this image data to suggest measures against disease or insect infestation, and determines the optimal harvest time.
Rapid image evaluation allows growers to take early action based on pest identification and yield assessments. This helps them increase yields and reduce costs.
Kubota is committed to moving to smart farming through a partnership with Bloomberg. The investment was made possible through a partnership with the Thrive Accelerator Program, the startup driver of SVG Ventures, in which the company participates.