Naïo Technologies reveals global expansion plans for its ag robots

Dino

Naïo Technologies said it is accelerating its international development strategy, marking a step as it moves beyond its focus on technological innovation and looks toward worldwide growth.

Since early 2021, the company said seven of its Dino ag robots have been worked every day to weed vegetable fields for clients in California. The company said the operation, provided as a service, have been a “resounding success” and it currently has orders significantly above its ability to deliver.

The company has tested its Robot As A Service (RAAS) model this year, and reports that is will work. Many farmers in Salinas, Calif., can use its robots where previously it would not have been as simple to do through a classic sales model. Farmers using Dinos are reportedly seeing profitability from the first day thanks to a starting cost significantly lower than that of purchasing one of the machines.

In addition, Naïo Technologies said it takes care of everything: mapping, transport, management and monitoring of the robot on the farm for guaranteed results.

After Salinas, the Dino robots will follow the vegetable growers to Yuma, Ariz.

The success of RAAS in America is driving Naïo Technologies to actively pursue this business model for 2022. To do this, the company said it plans to launch new partnerships (retail, franchises, R&D etc.) in the United States at first, to respond to growing demand, as well as in other countries where there is a business case to do so.

Ted

Ted

Regarding Ted, which was unveiled in September 2020, the second version of the company’s electric straddling robot for vineyards has been tackling new ground since its release. Its additional technological and mechanical improvements have reportedly impressed wine-growing experts and now 12 robots are in use in France.

After having proven its worth over the course of a year, Naïo Technologies said it wants accelerate Ted’s development through two different but complementary business models: the sale of the robot itself as well as RAAS.

Just as for Dino, the company is seeking new partnerships in France and around the world.

Already available for sale, the launch of RAAS is scheduled for January 2022. A Ted robot will soon be leaving for the United States, where it will begin providing services in California.

With Dino, Ted, and Oz, Naïo Technologies has three ranges of robots in its catalog and said it is looking to go further than product innovation in order to win new, highly-potential markets and thus retain its place as a pioneer in agricultural robotics.

Oz

Oz

Designed almost 10 years ago, when France-based Naïo Technologies was founded, Oz has undergone many improvements. It is now 100% autonomous thanks to its RTK GPS guidance and easy-to-use. The company said the electric machine has “become the ideal multi-task and multi-crop, environmentally friendly assistant.”

The machine can make furrows, sow seed, hoe, weed in the row and between rows, help with harvesting and even transport loads thanks to a variety of adaptable and interchangeable tools. It has become a versatile robot covering a wide range of crops: garlic, onions, carrots, salad crops, spinach, celery, sweet peppers, cabbage, squash, wicker, vine nurseries, ornamental nurseries, cut flowers, seed production, herbs and many more.

In just a few figures, today Oz represents:

• 150 robots sold worldwide
• 6149 missions launched since the beginning of 2021
• 300 hectares worked in 2021

By carrying out time-consuming, tedious and repetitive tasks in complete autonomy, it allows the user to free up time for carrying out jobs with a higher value-added, thus contributing to a better profitability for the farm.

Oz has reportedly been put to work in Germany, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Canada, United States and New Zealand.

Naïo Technologies said it plans to introduce its little agricultural assistant into many other countries through tnew retail partnerships.