Trabotyx automates weeding with its robot platform. A robot autonomously moves over the field and does the work of four people per day. It locates weeds with cameras and cuts them away swiftly. Up to 200,000 weeds per hectare.
Smart sensors and algorithms replace humans
Sensors and smart algorithms play a crucial role in the Trabotyx robot platform. Mohamed Boussaba, CTO and co-founder of the company, explains how it works. “With AI, the detection and removal of weeds is becoming better and faster.” In 2023, Trabotyx focused on environmentally friendly weed control in carrots, but starting in 2024, other crops like onions, chicory, and parsnips will follow.
Rocket science lands on the field
Mohamed founded Trabotyx with Tim Kreukniet. Tim, CEO, has a successful background in cleantech and marketing high-tech products. Mohamed made his mark in the development of aeronautical hardware and software. Trabotyx originated from investor and venture builder Antler. The company was also part of the ESA BIC, the European Space Agency’s incubator program.
Trabotyx for conventional farmers
The Trabotyx robot initially offers organic growers an alternative to expensive and scarce laborers, making this cultivation method more attractive. “But the robot is certainly not only intended for organic farmers,” says Tim. “Conventional farmers use crop protection products to control weeds, but the use of those products is expected to come under increasing pressure due to stricter regulations.” The pace at which this happens is uncertain and could take years. When that time comes, the weeding robot will also become a more obvious alternative for conventional farmers.
2024: the year of truth
Trabotyx is not the only startup working on an autonomous, mechanical weeding robot. But it is the smartest one. The robot came out as the best in an independent study by Wageningen University & Research for recognizing weeds in a carrot field. Trabotyx removes over 90 percent of the carrots and weeds. The weeding season of 2024 (from May through June) is an important period for Trabotyx. During this time, the company must demonstrate that the robot really lives up to the expectations of organic growers, so that it can sign its first customers.
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Good match with BOM's transition challenge
The Brabant Development Company became involved with Trabotyx early in 2021. Pieter Meuwissen: “Trabotyx makes an impact. The company is part of the movement that makes regenerative agriculture (food production combined with nature restoration, ed.) possible. Weeding with a robot, instead of with chemical pesticides, is better for both crops and biodiversity. But the fact that it is better does not mean that this will quickly become the new standard. The choice for chemical control is temporarily too tempting because it is cheap and quickly applicable. It is a matter of perseverance.”
Support by BOM
BOM supported Trabotyx in various ways. In 2021, BOM invested about half a million euros in the weeding robot together with a group of informal investors. They also received a Rabo Innovation Loan. The company used the money for the accelerated development of the robot, which has been extensively tested on Brabant fields, among others. The first version of the precision robot was tested in practice in 2023.
Introductions and loan
But BOM did more. BOM guided Trabotyx in the Brabant Startup Fund process. This fund helps startups with financing to achieve problem-solution fit. BOM nominated Trabotyx for the Fastlane program of InvestNL for impactful Agrifood pioneers. The program prepares entrepreneurs for their next financing round and scaling up their business.
By providing a second convertible loan (also now with existing and new informal investors), BOM enabled Trabotyx to further develop the robot to a version that meets the expectations. Pieter: “And we are helping the company with the recruitment of a new COO (chief operations officer, ed.). In the early phase, the team is the most important factor. With the addition of the COO, Trabotyx can successfully manage the expected further scaling.”
This was the contribution of BOM in the Trabotyx case
Developing
- Guided in the Brabant Startup Fund trajectory.
- Nominated for InvestNL's Fastlane program.
Investing
- Convertible loan (CLA) provided from development fund.
- New CLA provided to enable Trabotyx to (finally) realize MVP and demonstrate Problem/Solution fit.