Paul Voutier, Ambit Robotics
For smallholder farmers in Asia, most crops are manually sprayed using a backpack sprayer. It’s hot, dusty work that creates a number of negative environmental side effects when the chemicals seep into soils and rivers.
This is a problem that Paul Voutier, Founder of Ambit Robotics, is passionate about solving.
“It’s difficult for smallholder farmers to find manual backpack sprayers. The conditions are really tough,” says Paul.
“It takes two people five hours to spray a hectare. The job is arduous and unhealthy.”
Compounding this problem is the inefficient methods of backspraying when targeting the plants. There is a lack of consistency in manual spraying which leaves gaps where diseases can take hold.
Paul identified a need for a robot which would do the job faster, cheaper and safer.
The robot operator maps the land using GPS. The robot then uses this map and its on board sensors to detect the rows of crops and the empty lanes between them. While moving, the robot sprays evenly and precisely.
Testing conducted by the Corteva team in Bandung, Indonesia
“It’s a solution that significantly reduces the time and labour cost required to spray,” explains Paul.
Both Bayer and Corteva are trialling the robot this year with particular attention on its ability to reliably track up and down the rows, and ensuring the Android app which drives the robot is reliable for consumer use.
Ultimately, Ambit Robotics aims to change how farming is viewed.
“In Asia, farming is generally seen as low status, dull and unsafe. We believe robotics can transform the outlook and prospects of the farming industry within Asia to be seen as a high tech career that carries status, and a career that people aspire for.”
At SproutX, Paul has been focused on being willing to correct and change the product where it’s needed.
“We have been happily surprised by the technical mentoring support,” says Paul.
“And now that we’re coming towards the end of the accelerator, we’re excited to prepare a pitch for Demo Day that will help us increase our reach beyond the program by networking with potential investors.”
While Demo Day will enable Ambit Robotics to gain exposure to the SproutX community, Paul maintains his focus on the technical challenges they face. Despite the global pandemic preventing Paul and his team from going to Indonesia, it has been an opportunity to perfect the technology from a distance.
“If we send them the robot and they can figure it out, then it could be easily sent elsewhere too. It forces us to create technology that’s intuitive and easy to use.”
For those looking to start their own startup, Paul gives the following advice: “Keep your product development and feedback loops really short, don’t spend a year building and using resources without feedback and validation from both experts and consumers. Finally, try and keep the time to develop each MVP very short.”
