Escarda Technologies GmbH
Berlin-based agri-tech startup developing AI-powered laser weeding systems to eliminate herbicide use in crop production.
Escarda Technologies GmbH is a German agri-tech company founded in 2019 in Berlin, specializing in AI-powered laser weeding technology. The company's Escarda Compact Duo system uses high-resolution cameras, deep-learning plant recognition, and precision laser technology to identify and eliminate weeds in real time without chemical herbicides. The trailer-mounted system is compatible with any standard tractor and received CE certification in 2025.
Escarda was acquired by Berlin.Industrial.Group to accelerate series production and European market expansion. The company operates from Schwarze-Pumpe-Weg 16 in Berlin and is establishing an international dealer and service network, positioning laser weeding as a viable herbicide-free alternative for arable crop production.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Escarda Compact Duo
CE-certified tractor-mounted AI laser weeder for chemical-free precision weed control in arable crops.
Contact Escarda Technologies GmbH
WEBSITE
https://www.escarda.techPHONE
+49 30 33081871HEADQUARTERS
Germany
Company Facts
Founded
2019
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Europe
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
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Certifications & Memberships
Waymo and Zoox Test Drivers Report Injuries Amid Robotaxi Expansion
The scaling of robotaxis by Waymo and Zoox has resulted in over two dozen injuries among test drivers in 2024 and 2025, primarily due to sudden braking and movements. According to data reviewed by TechCrunch, these incidents include sprains, strains, and whiplash, with some drivers sidelined for extended periods. This situation highlights the hidden human cost associated with the rapid deployment of autonomous vehicles. Transdev reported 16 injuries linked to Waymo's operations in three cities, while Zoox noted up to eight injuries from similar incidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires greater disclosure from companies in higher-hazard industries, which is why these injuries are documented. Looking ahead, it remains unclear if new injuries have occurred in 2026, as OSHA data is submitted annually. Sources indicate that injuries at Zoox are ongoing, with contractors reporting continued hard-braking issues. Both companies emphasize their commitment to safety but have not provided detailed responses regarding the injuries reported.
Transportation autonomous vehicles avs Exclusive robotaxis Waymo
Zuri Unveils Uncrewed Cargo Tiltrotor for Civil and Defense Use in Prague
Czech aircraft manufacturer Zuri has commenced ground testing of its Technology Demonstrator 2.0 in Prague, aiming for flight tests in 2027 and commercial deliveries between 2027 and 2029. The Zuri uncrewed cargo VTOL, a hybrid-electric tiltrotor, is designed to transport over 100 kilograms (220 pounds) across a range of 679 kilometers (422 miles), with a cruising speed of 220 kilometers per hour (137 mph). This innovative aircraft is targeted for offshore operations, disaster relief, and defense logistics, significantly reducing transportation times compared to traditional methods. For instance, a typical 380-kilometer (236-mile) resupply route, which usually takes a road convoy most of a day, can be completed by the Zuri aircraft in just a morning. The Technology Demonstrator 2.0 integrates the full production architecture and is currently undergoing systems integration and ground tests. Looking ahead, Zuri plans to initiate flight testing in early 2027, with commercial deliveries expected between 2027 and 2029. The company has successfully raised €7.6 million (about $8.2 million) since 2018, with the latest funding round of €6 million (about $6.5 million) aimed at supporting the demonstrator and its flight test campaign. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Advanced Air Mobility Drone News Drone News Feeds Europe Drone Industry European Union eVTOL
Carbon Robotics Enhances Laser Weeding with iMerit for Instant AI Customization
Carbon Robotics has introduced a large plant model that allows farmers to customize their laser weeder for specific crops and weeds in minutes. This innovation replaces traditional crop-specific AI models, enabling instant adjustments without retraining. Farmers can use an iPad app to tag plants, allowing the weeder to adapt to various crops across different regions. The significance of this development lies in its ability to streamline the weeding process, enhancing efficiency and reducing the time needed for farmers to adapt to new crops or weeds. By leveraging a foundation model trained on 150 million labeled plants, Carbon Robotics empowers farmers to optimize their weeding strategies instantly, improving soil health by returning nutrients from removed weeds. Looking ahead, the partnership with iMerit has proven crucial for the data annotation process, enabling Carbon Robotics to scale its model training effectively. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Agriculture Artificial Intelligence Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) News Self-Driving Vehicles Sensors / Sensing Systems
Cyborg Cockroaches Developed as Potential Rescue Robots for Disaster Relief
Researchers have created cyborg cockroaches, named Paraborgs, designed to assist in delivering emergency medical care to individuals trapped in hazardous environments such as collapsed buildings. These insects are equipped with miniature electronics that enable remote monitoring and interaction, enhancing their role from mere search tools to potential rescue platforms. The significance of this technology lies in its ability to combine the natural navigation skills of cockroaches with lightweight electronics, allowing them to traverse difficult terrains while keeping critical medical decisions under human control. The Paraborgs can be fitted with either cameras or auto-injection devices, achieving a 95 percent success rate in close-range injections during proof-of-concept experiments. Looking ahead, researchers aim to deploy swarms of these specialized cyborg insects, each with distinct roles such as locating survivors or transporting medical supplies. While the current results are promising, further development and field testing are necessary before this innovative approach can be utilized in real emergency situations.
AI and Robotics
GUSS Automation to Integrate Ouster Lidar in Next-Gen Autonomous Orchard Machines
GUSS Automation, a subsidiary of John Deere, is set to integrate Ouster's Rev8 OS0 lidar sensors into its Autonomous Orchard Machine Fleet. This integration aims to enhance the capabilities of autonomous machines in navigating complex outdoor environments, particularly in high-value crop operations. The significance of this development lies in addressing the navigation challenges faced in dense orchards and vineyards, where traditional GPS systems fall short. By incorporating Ouster's advanced lidar technology, GUSS Automation is enhancing perception capabilities, enabling driverless sprayers to effectively map tree trunks and crop rows with precision. Looking ahead, the integration of Ouster's lidar technology is expected to improve operational reliability in challenging conditions, such as dust and dense vegetation. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Agriculture Components News agricultural robots autonomous agriculture autonomous sprayers
Hai Robotics Achieves 10,000 HaiPick Climb Robots Deployed Globally
Hai Robotics has announced that over 10,000 HaiPick Climb robots have been contracted for customer projects worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the solution's commercial growth. Since its global launch in 2025, HaiPick Climb has been adopted in 12 countries across various continents, including Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. The importance of this achievement lies in the growing customer base, which includes notable companies such as ANTA, Panasonic, and METTLER TOLEDO, spanning multiple industries like apparel, e-commerce, and healthcare. The reliability of HaiPick Climb has been a key focus for Hai Robotics, ensuring that the robots undergo rigorous testing and validation to support long-term stability and operational performance. Looking ahead, Hai Robotics plans to leverage insights gained from live customer projects to enhance the reliability and delivery standards of HaiPick Climb. As the solution continues to adapt to evolving warehouse environments and operational needs, it is positioned to support customers in achieving flexible and efficient automation solutions.
Warehouse Automation Robotics Logistics E-commerce Supply Chain Management
Hai Robotics Achieves 10,000 HaiClimber Robots Deployed Globally
Hai Robotics has announced that over 10,000 HaiClimber robots have been contracted for customer projects worldwide, marking a significant milestone in the solution's commercial growth. Since its global launch in 2025, HaiPick Climb has been implemented in 12 countries across various continents, including Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. This achievement highlights the growing adoption of HaiPick Climb among notable customers such as ANTA, Panasonic, and METTLER TOLEDO, spanning diverse industries like apparel, e-commerce, and healthcare. The company's commitment to reliability in warehouse automation has been evident since its inception, and the development of HaiPick Climb reflects years of engineering validation and refinement, ensuring long-term stability and performance. Looking ahead, Hai Robotics aims to leverage real-world project experiences to enhance the reliability and delivery standards of HaiPick Climb. As the solution continues to adapt to evolving workflows and operational requirements, it is expected to support stable fulfillment performance and facilitate future system expansions for customers worldwide. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Warehouse Automation Robotics Logistics E-commerce Supply Chain Management
SiFly Aviation Secures $20 Million to Enhance Q12 Drone Production in the US
SiFly Aviation, based in California, has successfully raised $20 million in Series A funding to boost production of its Q12 electric drone and advance its DronePort infrastructure. This funding round was led by Shield Capital, with contributions from various investors including Qudit and BBK Capital. The significance of this funding lies in SiFly's claims regarding the Q12's capabilities, which reportedly include flying four to five times longer and up to 10 times farther than leading multirotor drones, while carrying payloads of up to 10 pounds. With thousands of test flights completed, including a Guinness World Record for the longest flight in its class, the Q12 is positioned to meet the needs of industries requiring longer flight times. Looking ahead, SiFly aims to leverage this funding to expand its manufacturing capabilities in the US and fulfill its order backlog. The company targets sectors such as public safety, utility inspection, and agriculture, where the Q12's extended range can significantly enhance operational efficiency. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
News
Retailers Enhance Checkout Experience for International Shoppers with Automated Kiosks
Retailers in tourist-heavy areas are increasingly deploying automated kiosks to streamline the checkout process for international shoppers. These multilingual, card-accepting kiosks allow travelers to scan items, verify passports, and claim tax refunds without clerical assistance, significantly reducing transaction times and enhancing customer satisfaction. The integration of passport and ID optical character recognition (OCR) technology, along with multilingual interfaces, ensures that international customers can navigate the checkout process smoothly. By embedding automated tax-free refund processes directly into kiosks, retailers can eliminate confusion and delays, making the shopping experience more appealing to foreign visitors. As the global tourist population continues to grow, with 1.4 billion international arrivals reported in 2024, retailers must address potential technical integration issues to maintain efficient operations. Investing in automated checkout systems will be crucial for capturing this expanding market and providing a competitive edge in the retail landscape.
Business Retail Technology automated checkout checkout kiosks international shoppers
CropX Acquires SCIO to Integrate Agronomy with Crop Quality Insights
CropX Technologies has acquired SCIO, a company specializing in portable near-infrared spectroscopy technology. This acquisition aims to enhance CropX's ability to connect agronomic recommendations with actual crop quality and composition data at harvest. SCIO's technology will allow for rapid, non-destructive measurements of various crops, including grains and oilseeds. The integration of SCIO's systems is expected to create a feedback loop between field management practices and harvest outcomes. By linking crop quality data with information from soil sensors, weather conditions, and satellite imagery, CropX intends to refine its agronomic recommendations. This strategic move marks CropX's eighth acquisition since 2020 and highlights its commitment to advancing digital agronomy. No financial details were disclosed regarding the acquisition. CropX has raised a total of $64 million since its inception and operates its digital agronomy platform in over 70 countries. As the company continues to expand its technology portfolio, industry stakeholders should monitor how this acquisition influences CropX's offerings and its impact on agricultural practices.
Industry updates Smart farming industry updates
