Ecoation Innovative Solutions Inc., a leading provider of data-driven Grower Assist Technology, and Kinova, a Canadian-based global leader in professional robotics, are teaming up. 

By adding robotic grasping capabilities to Ecoation’s grower assist platform, this ‘Canadian Duo’ aims to enable real-time identification and treatment of pest and disease risks in greenhouses globally. With an initial focus on closed-loop and automated Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, specifically surgical treatment application to targeted areas of the canopy and autonomous biological control distribution, this partnership will bring the best of each company’s capabilities to the market as a commercial crop monitoring and management package.

“Kinova is a leader in robotic arm development with impressive and robust products that have been deployed commercially for many years in the global market,” commented Ecoation founder and CEO, Dr. Saber Miresmailli.

“What excites me the most is the fact that through this partnership, two leading Canadian companies are joining forces to tackle important and timely issues that are impacting humanity globally: food security and farm labour shortage. Combining the ecoation AI/IA Human+Machine platform with Kinova’s robotic arm will not only allow the Canadian duo to detect, diagnose and report problems but also help them to treat the issue using the proper solution with surgical precision.” 

Entering the market within the first half of 2021, this partnership will complete the “find and fix” strategy that Ecoation introduced several years ago. In the meantime, the partnership will explore all of the exciting possibilities that are unlocked when you pair a set of robotic arms with Ecoation’s OKO platform, the grower’s eyes on the ground.

Source:  Ecoation November 23, 2020 news release