AgXeed, the Dutch manufacturer renowned for its autonomous vehicles, has been making waves in the agritech industry. The company’s AgBot robotic tractors are now in serial production, marking a significant milestone. However, the true essence of AgXeed’s success lies not just in the vehicles themselves, but in the vision that drives the company, as revealed in an exclusive interview with its founders.
The company’s slogan, ‘We provide autonomy’, translates to ‘We deliver freedom’. This philosophy extends far beyond the creation of autonomous vehicles. Joris Hiddema, the CEO, explains that their tools offer immense freedom in decision-making regarding crop choice and management. The core of their operation is the ‘portal’, an online platform that serves as a virtual garage for AgBots, machines, implements, and facilities for planning tasks and operations. This allows farmers to plan and make decisions from their desk, even during the off-season.
Lars Schmitz, the CTO, emphasizes that all planning and data collection happen within the portal. This includes data from fields, operations, sensors, and cameras, enabling further planning and action. AgXeed’s unique approach sets them apart from even the largest brands in the industry, as they believe in containing all intelligence within the portal after mapping a geofence.
AgXeed was founded in 2018 by four individuals with extensive experience in agricultural technology and machinery. The founders, including Hiddema and Schmitz, previously worked at Agco in Grubbenvorst, Limburg province, where AgXeed now operates from the former Agco site. The start-up phase was financially challenging, with the founders facing the risk of running out of money. However, a turning point came when they posted an online video of the first running prototype, attracting significant interest from agricultural machinery manufacturers.
Despite offers to acquire the company, AgXeed chose to remain independent, securing investment from a private investor who shared their vision of prioritizing soil and sustainability. A partnership with Claas was also formed, with Amazone becoming a minority shareholder. The founders believe that their lack of legacy allows them to approach problems from a different perspective.
AgXeed’s concept is more than just an autonomous vehicle. It’s about using software to plan and execute operations, collect, analyze, share, and utilize data. This data-driven approach adds value to the farming process. The company is focused on innovation and development, with plans to expand its portfolio and enter more export markets. They aim to target larger farms in Western Europe, with a focus on farms larger than 250 hectares in countries like Denmark, Germany, France, Great Britain, and Sweden.
In terms of vehicle models, AgXeed plans to expand its offerings. This includes a more powerful version of the 4-wheel AgBot W4 and a combination of an AgBot 2.055 W3 with a trailed orchard sprayer. They are also developing the AgXBox, which enables standard tractors and self-propelled machines to be highly automated, with operations planned via their portal.
AgXeed’s approach to autonomy is fundamentally different from other manufacturers. They prioritize safety, ensuring that their systems can handle complex situations like a stationary tractor on a slope. As the company continues to grow, it aims to attract the right people with sector experience and know-how.
AgXeed’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation and vision in the agritech industry. Their focus on autonomy, data, and sustainability is reshaping the way farming is done, offering farmers more freedom and control over their operations. As they continue to expand and innovate, AgXeed is poised to make an even greater impact on the agricultural world.