At Contain, automation is consistently one of the most popular categories on our Equipped pre-owned equipment marketplace.   It’s popular for its ability to minimize repetitive tasks for thinly-stretched farm teams.  We work with a number of automation equipment manufacturers in our vendor network, and were pleased to add a new startup, Rooted Robotics, to that list recently.  

Rooted Robotics: Filling the Automation Gap

In a recent interview, we spoke with Max Knight, CEO of Rooted Robotics, about the company’s role in the evolving landscape of agricultural automation. The Company, based in Boulder, Colorado, aims to provide affordable automation solutions for small to medium-sized greenhouses and indoor farms. Initially focused on running their own vertical farm, the team shifted to commercializing the technology that they developed while operating their farm.

Indeed, consultant McKinsey found that 47% of farmers cited high cost as one of their top three reasons for not adopting agtech.  30% cited an unclear ROI.

The Team Behind Rooted Robotics

The four-person team at Rooted Robotics has diverse backgrounds and expertise:

– Max Knight (CEO): With a background in engineering and renewable energy, Max brings a wealth of knowledge in sustainable practices. He founded Hydrobot, which automated water quality for small hydroponic systems.

– Sebastian Vazquez-Carson (CTO): Holding a PhD in Physics from Columbia University, Sebastian designs the electronic and software systems for Rooted Robotics. He also has experience in mushroom cultivation.

– Christian Maljian (Mechanical Engineer): Christian has extensive experience in designing manufacturable mechanical components, ensuring the affordability and efficiency of their products.

– Eric Roth (COO): With over a decade in controlled environment agriculture, Eric has worked with notable names like Kalera, bringing practical insights into the needs of various farming operations.

Rooted Robotics’ Product Line

Rooted Robotics offers several key products:

1. Tabletop Microgreens Seeding Machine: Designed for casting microgreen seeds in a highly consistent pattern. It is priced at around $10,000 and aims to improve yield consistency and reduce labor costs.  Depending on the scale of the customer, the Company estimates a payback on the equipment of under a year.  Customer Kalera currently uses the machine at commercial scale to seed thousands of trays per week.

2. Harvester: Expected to launch by the end of the summer, this machine will simplify the harvesting process for leafy greens.

3. Tray Cleaning Machine: Also expected to launch by the end of the summer. This versatile machine can clean standard trays as well as nursery trays and NFT channels.

Operations and Market Strategy

Rooted Robotics manufactures its products in partnership with metal fabricators in Salt Lake City and Nebraska. Final units are assembled in Boulder. They maintain a lead time of about four weeks for most orders. The company is also building partnerships with distributors and system providers to expand its market reach.

The Future of Rooted Robotics

While the current focus is on microgreens, Rooted Robotics plans to expand into other crops, including other leafy greens, fruiting crops and mushrooms. The team is also exploring computer vision technologies to further enhance their automation capabilities.

Fundraising Plans

Rooted Robotics is currently raising funds to support the development and launch of their new products. The company aims to raise $1 million to build out their sales network and distribution channels, ensuring that their automation solutions reach a broader market. This funding round will also help them achieve profitability, positioning them for long-term growth and success.

See more about Rooted Robotics