Photo: Deere & Company
(Moline, IL) -- Quad Cities-based Deere & Company is buying a California robotics startup company for 250-(m) million dollars. Deere says the acquisition of Bear Flat Robotics will help further automate driving technology on the farm. Bear Flat Robotics will remain in Silicon Valley.
Bear Flat Robotics develops autonomous driving technology compatible with existing machines.
“Deere views autonomy as an important step forward in enabling farmers to leverage their resources strategically to feed the world and create more sustainable and profitable operations,” said Jahmy Hindman, Chief Technology Officer at John Deere. “Bear Flag’s team of talented agriculture professionals, engineers and technologists have a proven ability to deliver advanced technology solutions to market. Joining that expertise and experience with Deere’s expertise in autonomy, along with our world-class dealer channel, will accelerate the delivery of solutions to farmers that address the immense challenge of feeding a growing world.”
“One of the biggest challenges farmers face today is the availability of skilled labor to execute time-sensitive operations that impact farming outcomes. Autonomy offers a safe and productive alternative to address that challenge head on,” said Igino Cafiero, co-founder and CEO of Bear Flag Robotics.