(Facebook/TerraClear)

By Alice McFarlane

Roomba for Rocks

New technology dubbed ‘Roomba for rocks’

Jun 4, 2021 | 10:00 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — Header wreckers could be a thing of the past.

TerraClear, an applied AI and robotics company in Idaho, has created a robot for picking rocks.

CEO Brent Frei said picking up rocks is traditionally tedious and backbreaking work, but very necessary given the cost and sophistication of field equipment that could be damaged.

“There are more than 400 million arable acres worldwide that have been waiting for a cost-effective and productive solution to this problem,” Frei said in a news release. “Repetitive tasks like this are optimal targets for automation, and the technologies we are bringing to the field dramatically reduce the labor and time needed to prep fields for planting.”

TerraClear’s Rock Picker removes rock with the touch of a button. It employs a rock-mapping drone paired with a compact track loader or skid-steer that identifies rocks and clears the field.

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Frei said, in the future, it will be compatible with front-end loaders on tractors.

Rock Picker picks an average of 400 rocks per hour and can pick up rocks of up to 300 pounds. It takes less than five minutes to mount and works in any field condition. Rock Picker minimizes compaction and ground disturbance on traditionally cultivated to no-till conditions, seeded fields, stubble, or even pastureland which emphasizes soil conservation practices such as no-till and minimum till practices.

The company recently announced Series A funding of $25 million led by Madrona Venture Group, bringing the company’s total funding to $38 million.

Madrona Venture Group managing director Matt McIlwain said the technology addresses a huge problem for farmers.

“Rock picking fits into the category of dull, dangerous, and dirty. It’s a perfect application of robotics and AI and we are excited to back this team and mission,” McIlwain said.

Earlier this year, TerraClear released the first Rock Picker, which quickly sold out. The second run will be delivered at the end of this summer.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW