SmartPlanes
Swedish fixed-wing UAV maker for aerial survey, mapping, and remote sensing; spun from Umea university research in 2008.
SmartPlanes is a Swedish manufacturer of fixed-wing drones for aerial mapping, surveying, remote sensing, and surveillance. Founded in 2005 and spun out from the Remote Sensing Laboratory at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences in Umeå in 2008, the company produces UAVs designed for precision data collection in agriculture, forestry, mining, construction, and wildlife monitoring. Its drones are deployed globally.
Acquired by Origon Utveckling AB in 2018, the company now operates from Jävre and Hörnefors in northern Sweden.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Contact SmartPlanes
WEBSITE
https://smartplanes.comPHONE
+46 70-210 25 72HEADQUARTERS
Sweden
Company Facts
Founded
2005
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Europe
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
Export Markets
GEAIR 2.0 Demonstrates Genetically Modified Tomatoes to Boost Agricultural Robot Efficiency
On September 7, at the Beijing Seed Industry Conference, the GEAIR 2.0 system from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology showcased its capabilities. The robotic arm efficiently pollinates flowers in under ten seconds, achieving a 92.8% accuracy in identifying flower structures, a 7.8% improvement over its predecessor. This advancement highlights the potential of genetically modified tomatoes to enhance agricultural robotics. The significance of this development lies in the concept of crop-robot co-design, where the focus shifts from adapting machines to the existing plant structures to modifying the plants to work better with robots. This approach addresses the challenges faced by agricultural robots in greenhouses, where traditional methods have struggled due to plant design hindrances. The global market for robotic pollination is projected to grow significantly, reaching approximately $847 million by 2025 and $3.2 billion by 2033. Looking ahead, two key areas warrant attention: the potential for crop-robot co-design to be applied to other crops, such as soybeans, and the regulatory pathways for gene-edited crops in China. The success of GEAIR 2.0 could prompt a reevaluation of the agricultural robotics industry, emphasizing a collaborative approach between machines and crops, which could redefine the future of agricultural practices.
Agricultural Robotics Genetic Engineering Crop-Robot Co-Design Pollination Technology
Zhejiang Company Secures Angel Investment for Low-Altitude Economy Solutions
A Zhejiang-based company, established in 2025, has developed three vertical takeoff drones and a low-altitude AI operating system within a year. The company secured exclusive angel funding from Chi Zi Fund, although the amount remains undisclosed. According to reports, Chi Zi Fund's founding partner, Chen Weijin, expressed confidence in the company's potential to build a usable infrastructure for the low-altitude economy. Unlike many drone manufacturers, the company focuses on its ARC OS 1.0, an AI operating system set to launch in January 2026. This system aims to eliminate the need for human pilots, enabling multiple drones to collaborate autonomously and manage issues independently. The system supports voice commands, 3D modeling, intelligent path planning, and proactive safety decisions, and has already been validated in agricultural and logistics scenarios in Togo and Malaysia. As the low-altitude economy sees significant financing trends, the company’s angel investment indicates that Chi Zi Fund is betting on the potential of its operating system to become a standard rather than just its drone production capabilities. However, the company faces challenges, including a lack of public data on the reliability of its technology in real industrial scenarios, and the need to secure a major client in China to fully realize its operational framework.
Drone Technology AI Operating Systems Low-Altitude Economy Autonomous Systems
Google Partners with Mitti Labs for Major Rice-Methane Carbon Credit Agreement
Google has entered into a significant agreement to purchase 1 million carbon credits from Indian startup Mitti Labs, marking the largest publicly announced deal for methane reduction in rice farming. This four-year contract will encompass rice farms across Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, covering approximately 100,000 hectares at peak delivery. The collaboration is crucial as Google strives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030, amidst rising greenhouse gas emissions. The project incentivizes farmers to implement practices that reduce flooding duration in rice fields, thereby cutting methane emissions by about 50% and conserving water usage by around 40%, without compromising crop yields. Looking ahead, Mitti Labs aims to expand its operations significantly, leveraging the Google agreement to enhance its capacity to engage with large corporate buyers. The startup, which has already saved over 500 billion liters of water, plans to increase its farmer partnerships from 100,000 to millions by 2030, supported by the credibility of working with a major player like Google.
Climate Startups Google Mitti Labs
AgXeed T2 7-SERIES and Carbon Robotics LaserWeeder Showcase Effective Autonomy
Danish farmer Axel Månsson has been utilizing the AgXeed T2 7-SERIES alongside a Carbon Robotics LaserWeeder since April. After several months of practical use, he evaluated the autonomous tractor on nine criteria, including setup, reliability, capacity, costs, and integration into his farm operations. Månsson awarded the system an impressive 4.5-star rating on most aspects, highlighting its potential to reduce labor costs. This collaboration between the AgXeed T2 7-SERIES and the LaserWeeder is significant as it demonstrates the effectiveness of autonomous technology in organic farming. Månsson operates one of Scandinavia's largest organic vegetable farms in Jutland, Denmark, where the integration of these technologies can lead to improved efficiency and sustainability in agricultural practices. Looking ahead, the continued performance of the AgXeed T2 7-SERIES and LaserWeeder will be closely monitored, particularly in terms of labor savings and operational efficiency. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Field robots autonomous tractors Laser weeder organic farming Smart Farming
Palantir and NVIDIA Collaborate to Enhance Sovereign AI in Supply Chains
Palantir Technologies Inc. and NVIDIA have announced a partnership aimed at integrating sovereign AI into critical supply chains, beginning with NVIDIA's operations. This collaboration will utilize NVIDIA's Nemotron™ open models within Palantir's Foundry and Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP), enhancing supply chain visibility and operational efficiency while ensuring data control. The significance of this initiative lies in its potential to transform supply chain management across various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. By leveraging advanced AI capabilities, organizations can optimize their operations, identify constraints, and make informed decisions at unprecedented speeds, thereby improving the reliability of their supply chains. Looking ahead, the AI stack's applications will be showcased at Palantir’s AIPCon 11 conference, indicating a broader rollout of these technologies. As demand for AI infrastructure grows, the partnership aims to provide enterprises with the tools needed to build resilient and intelligent supply chains while maintaining control over proprietary data.
China Unveils GEAIR 2.0 Humanoid Robot for Efficient Crop Pollination
A new humanoid robot named GEAIR 2.0 has been introduced in Beijing, designed to assist in crop breeding through autonomous hybrid pollination. Developed by the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, this robot operates independently in complex agricultural environments, enhancing its flower-recognition capabilities and improving stigma-recognition accuracy from 85% to 92.8%. The significance of GEAIR 2.0 lies in its potential to revolutionize crop breeding by automating a labor-intensive process. By combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology, the robot can perform pollination tasks efficiently, reducing the reliance on manual labor and lowering breeding costs. Its ability to work continuously without human supervision makes it a valuable asset for large-scale agricultural operations. Looking ahead, the developers emphasize the robot's role in improving the efficiency of hybrid breeding. The system's design allows it to navigate through dense crops and perform tasks under varying environmental conditions. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
AI and Robotics
PANDAG Technology Secures Funding to Advance Commercial Lawn Maintenance Robotics
PANDAG Technology, a Chinese commercial lawn maintenance robotics company, has recently completed a significant A-round funding, exclusively backed by Yunshi Capital. The company aims to transform its professional expertise into reusable system capabilities. This spring, a 300-kilogram robotic mower was showcased at the KLPGA, demonstrating its cutting efficiency on golf courses. The importance of PANDAG's innovation lies in addressing the automation gap in large commercial landscapes, such as golf courses and municipal green spaces. Traditional mowing methods are labor-intensive and inefficient, with a reported 60% of landscaping companies facing workforce shortages. PANDAG's approach focuses on creating a scalable solution that integrates professional experience into automated systems, which is essential for enhancing operational efficiency in commercial lawn maintenance. Looking ahead, PANDAG Technology is poised to lead the way in commercial lawn care automation. The company believes that while consumer-grade mowers have gained traction, the commercial sector requires robust systems that can deliver consistent results across various terrains and conditions. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Commercial Robotics Lawn Maintenance AI Technology Automation Solutions
South Korean Innovator Jooyeong P&S Launches Ecobundle to Replace Stretch Wrap
Jooyeong P&S Corporation, a South Korean packaging innovator, has introduced Ecobundle™, a reusable pallet packaging system designed to replace single-use stretch wrap in logistics. This system can wrap standard pallets in just 1-2 minutes without the need for machinery or training, providing a compelling return on investment after approximately 35 uses. The significance of Ecobundle lies in its environmental benefits and cost savings. It reportedly reduces CO₂ emissions by 95% over 365 uses and eliminates 650g of plastic waste per pallet per wrapping cycle. With a lifecycle of over 1,000 reuse cycles, it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging methods, aligning with the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation requirements. Looking ahead, Jooyeong P&S's Ecobundle has already shown promising results in real-world applications, including a 30% cost reduction and a 97% decrease in packaging waste at Ilyang Logis's Okcheon Distribution Centre. As logistics operators face increasing sustainability pressures, the adoption of Ecobundle could accelerate across Europe, especially with its compliance to upcoming regulations.
Packaging and Ecommerce Pallets and Totes Ecobundle Eliminate Stretch Wrap Jooyeong reusable pallet packaging
DEEP Robotics' Lynx Robot Operates in Extreme 55°C Desert Conditions
DEEP Robotics has released a video showcasing its Lynx wheeled-legged robot navigating extreme desert terrains, including soft sand and steep slopes. The robot's design combines wheeled movement for efficiency on flat surfaces with adjustable jointed legs for overcoming obstacles, making it suitable for narrow spaces like vineyards. The Lynx series operates in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 55°C and features an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance. For instance, the Lynx M20 weighs 33 kg, has a payload capacity of 15 kg, and can operate for 2.5 hours under load. It is equipped with dual 96-line LiDAR and dual-frequency cameras for real-time obstacle detection, significantly reducing manual labor in high-temperature environments. The robot has already been deployed in commercial vineyards in Xinjiang, reducing manual transport workload by over 70%. Additionally, it has been utilized for industrial inspections and public safety tasks, demonstrating its versatility in various applications. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Robotics Industrial Automation Extreme Environment Technology Agricultural Robotics
Ji'er 2.0: The First Humanoid Robot Transforming Smart Breeding in China
On September 4, 2026, at the 33rd China Beijing Seed Industry Conference, the team led by Xu Cao from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences unveiled Ji'er 2.0, the world's first humanoid intelligent breeding robot. This fully domestically produced robot can autonomously navigate through tomato flowers and perform pollination in under 10 seconds. The significance of Ji'er lies in its innovative strategy called 'crop-robot collaborative design.' Traditional hybrid pollination relies heavily on manual labor, with hybrid varieties accounting for over 90% of commercial seeds. The Xu Cao team has re-engineered flower structures through gene editing, allowing the robot to effectively perform pollination tasks, improving the accuracy of stigma recognition from 85% to 92.8%. The upgraded Ji'er 2.0 features a dual-arm system, enhancing its adaptability. It can autonomously operate in various conditions, significantly reducing labor intensity in hybrid pollination. The technology has also been validated in soybean breeding, and future applications may extend to extraterrestrial environments, potentially aiding in greenhouse construction on the Moon or Mars. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Smart Breeding Agricultural Robotics AI Technology Genetic Engineering
WRC 2026 Robot Systems: 149 Companies That Build Robots
149 of the 248 classified WRC 2026 exhibitors build finished robots. 93 build humanoid or legged machines. The audited humanoid sales number is one unit.
WRC 2026 Exhibitor Map: 248 Robotics Companies Mapped
We classified 248 WRC 2026 exhibitors with the RobotToday taxonomy. Motion & Actuation leads at 75 companies, Humanoid at 72, and compute stays thin at 12. (Modified 2026-08-27)
ROBOTTODAY Weekly July 13 – 17, 2026
This week in robotics: Hyundai takes full ownership of Boston Dynamics, Xpeng targets 1,000 Iron humanoids a month, LimX Dynamics raises $200M pre-IPO, and Agility opens a Silicon Valley physical-AI hub. July 13–17, 2026.
Humanoid Robot Wire Harnesses Emerge as a Critical System Technology
A RobotToday engineering deep dive into humanoid robot wire harnesses: 3D dynamic fatigue, 10-100 Gbps EMI shielding, FPC cost reduction, and global standards.
SoftBank’s $100B Robotics Spinoff: Why Masayoshi Son Is Rebuilding the AI Infrastructure Stack Around “Physical AI”
SoftBank’s planned $100B Roze spinoff signals a major shift in robotics and AI infrastructure, combining ABB Robotics, AI chips, and data center automation into a “Physical AI” platform.
The OpenClaw Test: Which Humanoid Robotics Companies Will Survive 2026?
How OpenClaw's AI agent orchestration exposes which humanoid robotics companies have genuine hardware innovation vs. expensive commodity robots with proprietary software.
From Co-Creation to Collapse: The Rise and Fall of iRobot, the Original Home Robotics Pioneer
From MIT roots to Roomba dominance and financial crisis, this deep dive traces iRobot’s rise, missteps, and lessons for today’s home robotics industry.
Robotics Innovator Lens Unveils Ambitious Production Goals Amid AI Surge
LENS sets bold production targets as AI-augmented robotics demand soars, promising high-volume manufacturing and next-gen automation tech.
The Coming Clash of Titans in Humanoid Robotics: Huawei vs. Tesla
Huawei and Tesla are locked in a humanoid robotics race, blending EV tech, AI ecosystems, and global strategy as they push toward 2025 mass deployment.
Robotics Mega-Conference IROS Returns to Mainland China After Two Decades, Highlights Rise of China's AI Research
IROS 2025 returns to mainland China, uniting global robotics and AI experts in Hangzhou and highlighting China’s surge in AI research and humanoid robotics.
