AI-powered agricultural robotics company Carbon Autonomous Robotics Systems Inc. today announced it has raised $70 million in late-stage funding to help it grow its business, introduce new software and hardware products and to expand its manufacturing capabilities.

Founded in 2018, Carbon Robotics provides AI-based robotic solutions for agriculture that enable farmers to reduce costs, increase production and increase profits. The company’s main product, LaserWeeder, combines computer vision, AI deep learning, robotics and lasers to identify and remove weeds with millimeter precision.

LaserWeeder can target weeds without disturbing crops, making it a highly effective solution for organic and conventional farmers. The robotic weeder is designed to operate independently in large fields and can optimize weed control with 24-hour autonomous functionality that significantly reduces labor requirements and operational costs for farmers.

Beyond weed control, Carbon Robotics also offers a “LaserThinning” capability that allows farmers to optimize crop spacing by precisely thinning overseeded vegetable crops. The method improves growth and yield without the use of chemicals or manual labor and can be used alongside weeding in a single operation, making it ideal for maintaining crop health and increasing agricultural productivity.

The company’s technology operates autonomously and improves productivity, thereby reducing labor requirements and input costs. Farmers also benefit from the ability to work day and night, unaffected by environmental conditions like wind or rain.

The Series D round was led by BOND, with significant participation from NVentures, the venture capital arm of Nvidia Corp. Existing investors Anthos Capital LP, Fuse Venture Partners, Ignition Partners, Sozo Ventures Inc. and Voyager Capital LP also participated in the round.

“Carbon Robotics is uniquely positioned to deploy AI to transform the massive agricultural sector at a critical time,” said Mood Rowghani, General Partner of BOND. “Its proven ability to execute and scale, combined with a visionary management team, makes it a compelling asset in the field. »

Including the new funding, Carbon Robotics has raised $157 million to date.

Image: Carbon Robotics