The article is transferred from the 35 Dou WeChat public platform Author: Ran Jinying
With the increasing tension of global water resources, cherishing and protecting water resources has become a key way to ensure human survival, promote sustainable economic and social development, and maintain the ecological environment. According to the United Nations World Water Development Report 2024, nearly half of the world's population is experiencing severe water scarcity at some point, while a quarter of the population faces "extremely high" water stress. In addition, climate change will increase the frequency and severity of these phenomena, posing a serious risk to social stability.
Against this backdrop, RoboCare, a Tunisian agritech start-up, is actively using high-tech to tackle the challenges posed by global warming. The company uses advanced technology to save up to 30% of water resources in the irrigation process, contributing to the sustainable use of water resources and the efficient development of agriculture.
Since its inception in 2020, RoboCare has focused on using satellite, drone and IoT data to help farmers optimize resource allocation, detect crop problems early, and maximize land use efficiency. RoboCare's technology not only promotes the development of sustainable agricultural practices, but also injects more momentum into the future of agriculture and food security. Due to its outstanding performance and innovative application of technology, RoboCare has been named one of the most noteworthy agtech startups in 2024 by StartUs Insights.
With eight years of experience, RoboCare is determined to transform agriculture with the power of technology
The co-founder and CEO of RoboCare is Dr. Imen Hbiri, a graduate of Rice University and has eight years of experience in the robotics industry. Growing up in the farmland, she has a deep understanding of the difficulties faced by farmers in a complex environment such as climate change. After witnessing the severe impact and loss of her grandfather's farm from climate change, she was determined to use the power of science and technology to transform agriculture.
图:RoboCare创始人Imen Hbiri 图源:ciolook官网
With a vision to change the status quo in agriculture and a passion for food security and environmental protection, Hbiri founded RoboCare. The company focuses on using advanced technology to solve practical problems in the field of agriculture, such as the rapid spread of greenhouse plant diseases, the precise control of pesticide use, and the rational use of water resources.
RoboCare uses a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model to provide farmers with intelligent agricultural tools. At a cost of just $1 per hectare per month, farmers can enjoy efficient agricultural services based on satellite, drone and IoT data.
At Hbiri, we believe that technology is the key to sustainable agriculture. Looking to the future, she looks forward to cutting-edge technologies that can help farmers cope with a changing world, protect crops, and protect our common planet. With its unique technological advantages and affordable prices, RoboCare is building the cornerstone for a more sustainable and secure future in the agricultural sector.
Drones monitor crops to help the sustainable development of agricultural universities
In the past, farmers often relied on visual observation to determine if a plant was affected by pests or diseases, however, this approach has significant limitations. Farmers can only detect the affected plants when they are large enough to be detected by the naked eye, but the best time to control them may have been missed and the infection is likely to have spread from plant to plant.
In order to effectively overcome the problem of timeliness, RoboCare has launched solutions Crop-Care and Toma-Care. Crop-Care is a smart solution that integrates drones, spectral cameras, and thermal cameras, allowing farmers to know the condition of their crops in real-time without the need for specialized technology. Toma-Care is a greenhouse crop disease surveillance system based on proximal sensing and artificial intelligence technology.
Figure: Application of RoboCare's solution Source: RoboCare official website
RoboCare's solution is the first to incorporate the latest drones, aircraft and satellite remote sensing technologies to comprehensively scan the land from the air and collect climate data. Subsequently, the system uses integrated crop models and artificial intelligence to conduct in-depth, specific analysis of the collected data to form detailed crop maps based on crops, varieties and regional differences. These maps provide an accurate representation of the tree's water saturation, soil quality, and overall health through a range of vibrant colors (red, green, blue).
Based on detailed map data, RoboCare is able to provide customized and accurate recommendations for the optimal management and handling of land and crops, helping agricultural production to develop more efficiently and sustainably. "This technology gives us information on how much water each plant needs, and with this technology, farmers can save up to 30% of water, increase yields by 30%, and reduce expenses by 20%. Hbiri emphasized.
Emphasis on skills training to bridge the gap between farmers and new technologies
In traditional agricultural practice, many farmers are limited by their knowledge level, which makes it difficult for them to quickly understand and adopt new technologies, and they are often helpless when they encounter problems in the application of technology. There seems to be an insurmountable gap between traditional agricultural practices and modern technology. Hbiri is keen: "The main hurdles are farmers' concerns about costs, fear of the unknown, and a lack of understanding of how these technologies can help their farming operations. ”
To overcome these barriers, Hbiri organizes training courses and workshops to give farmers an in-depth exposure and understanding of these modern technologies. "I organize trainings and workshops to help farmers become familiar with and master our tools," she explains. At the same time, RoboCare also offers free demonstrations and pilot projects that allow farmers to experience first-hand the practical effects of modern technology, thus alleviating their doubts about new technologies.
It is worth mentioning that RoboCare always ensures that farmers are provided with ongoing support and guidance. "At the end of the day, we offer cost-effective solutions as well as ongoing support and training," Hbiri emphasises. This holistic approach not only exposes farmers to cutting-edge technologies, but also helps them build an understanding of the technology and make it more fully applicable to agricultural production.
In terms of company management, Hbiri also pays attention to the implementation of training, and she pays special attention to the development of soft skills of team members. RoboCare is committed to promoting personal growth and development through regular assessments and the introduction of external coaching mechanisms. For Hbiri, the secret to success is "creating a positive work culture, nurturing and retaining talent, and driving innovation." "Her leadership philosophy has always been closely aligned with the company's mission.