Burro Robotics joins John Deere 2022 Startup Collaborator program

Burro autonomous robots are designed to move loads of cargo around a farm. | Credit: Burro Robotics

Deere & Company is adding seven companies to its 2022 Startup Collaborator program. The startups are Burro, Crop.Zone, Four Growers, SeeDevice, Ucropit, ViewAR, and Yard Stick.

The year long program helps John Deere and the selected companies to test their technologies with customers and dealers without a more formal business relationship.

Burro robots are designed to carry a large load of harvested produce or other items. | Credit: Burro Robotics

Startups also gain affiliation with and mentoring from a world-class leader in technology for agricultural and construction equipment.

“The expansion of this year’s collaborator program provides an opportunity for John Deere to work with this globally diverse group across a broad area of technology spaces while continuing to unlock value for our customers across multiple production systems,” said Michele Kaiser, business development manager for John Deere.

Burro Robotics makes collaborative and autonomous mobile robots capable of carrying payloads up to 187 lg (500 lbs). The Burro robots can identify obstacles (including humans) and avoid running into them.

The robots are controlled via the onboard user interface, or via a smartphone or tablet.

The Burro has a variety of control modes including:

  • “Follow person” mode
  • “Follow row” mode
  • “Scout a row” mode
  • Goto a specific location (to pick up or drop off something).

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Written by

Mike Oitzman

Mike Oitzman is Senior Editor of WTWH's Robotics Group, cohost of The Robot Report Podcast, and founder of the Mobile Robot Guide. Oitzman is a robotics industry veteran with 25-plus years of experience at various high-tech companies in the roles of marketing, sales and product management. He can be reached at moitzman@wtwhmedia.com.