Eleos Robotics

We are very excited to announce that on March 24, 2021 Eleos Robotics was listed amongst the top emerging companies in the Agri-Food sector of the Emerging Rocket list which comprises of technology companies in the agricultural sector and food value chains.

Ready to Rocket recognizes companies with the greatest potential for revenue growth. The 2021 Ready to Rocket lists separates these businesses into five different technology sections: Information and Communications Technology, Cleantech, life Science, Digital Health, and Agri-Food. The list provides accurate predictions of private companies that will likely experience significant growth, venture capital investment or acquisition by a major player in the coming year.

The Emerging Rockets list features companies that show great investment and market breakthrough potential in the upcoming year. To qualify for a nomination under the Ready to Rocket list, businesses have to have $500K in technology product revenue and a growing base of customers. They must also show 50%-100% growth potential. The Emerging Rocket list recognizes companies that are worth watching over the next coming years as they are likely to become “Ready to Rocket” companies.

Even though 2020 was a challenging year, the Agri-Food industry made a lot of progress and had many market breakthroughs such as RoboWeeder. Eleos Robotics’ RoboWeeder is the most disruptive weeding technology to herbicides on earth. Not only does it use the patent pending precision heating technology, RootShock™ to destroy weeds, but it autonomously controls weeds for farmers allowing them to increase production, reduce the complexity of farm operations, and go organic.

One of the biggest challenges that growers have been facing due to the pandemic is labour uncertainty. Eleos is an immediate solution to reduce labour by up to 25%. RoboWeeder autonomously patrols the crops day and night, it allows growers to lower the risk and dependency on foreign labour and maximize productivity. 

Analytics Insight’s May/June issue recognizes the 40 Under 40 Innovators of 2020, we are proud to announce that our CEO, Yahoel Van Essen, was listed amongst them. This issue explores the “world’s most influential young leaders working at the convergence of disruptive technologies”. Our CEO was recognized under the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics section whose vision and innovative ideas led to the creation of RoboWeeder, the most disruptive weeding technology to herbicides on earth!

Though many businesses battle to survive these unprecedented times, we would like to share the good news with you. We are proud to announce that Eleos Robotics was granted $50,000 from the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) through the Agriculture Enhancement Grants Program. This grant will help Eleos Robotics move forward amidst worldwide pandemic.

Eleos Robotics’ Founder and CEO, Yahoel Van Essen, was featured on the cover page of Mirror Review’s latest issue: 10 Inspiring CEOs to Watch Out For in 2020. During his interview, Mr. Van Essen talks about his entrepreneurial journey, personal and professional hardships, and Eleos Robotics’ mission and vision.  Mr. Van Essen is truly honored to be featured as a top 10 inspiring CEO, as being able to inspire other people has always been his life purpose.

The road to success has not been wide and straight; however, the two key components to his success have been building resilience and strengthening his faith. Moreover, his dream to take a leadership role in shaping the future of agriculture through innovation has come true with the creation of RoboWeeder. 

Eleos’ AI weed-killing robot was created as a solution that meets increasing consumer demand for organic produce and reduces unskilled labour dependency, while also improving farm economics and reducing operational complexity for growers.

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic escalates and spreads to new countries, the agricultural sector undergoes an unprecedented crisis due to worldwide labour shortages. This is due to border closures primarily. Moreover, growers' dependency on imported seasonal labour fueled by migrant workers.

We are aware that this negatively affects the agricultural industry as many growers hire foreign seasonal farm labourers to work on their farms. As of today, weeding is the second biggest problem for growers, if weeds are not taken care of on time, they can destroy entire crops.

Eleos is an immediate solution to reduce labour by up to 25%. We make much of the migrant labour redundant. RoboWeeder technology lowers the agricultural sector’s risk and dependency on foreign labour. We also provide a full-proof solution to weeding labour that is virtually unaffected by external threats such as pandemics.

Typically, growers use tractors that spray herbicides (and fossil fuels) to protect their crops, they can also pull the weeds by hand. However, herbicides not only represent a very high environmental and societal expense to growers but they are not sustainable and without the manpower to pull all the weeds by hand, growers are at risk of losing their crops. This environmental and labour crisis requires smart and reliable solutions.

Eleos Robotics is here to help you. We created the RoboWeeder, an AI weed-killing robot. Our robot is the most disruptive weeding technology to herbicides on earth and one of the most sustainable products in the market to help growers maximize productivity.

RoboWeeder autonomously patrols crops day and night and identifies weeds using artificial intelligence. It controls the weeds for growers using precision microwave technology. RoboWeeder eliminates weeds in many ways; it dehydrates them, destroys the weed cells, and it creates a lethal thermal shock, this prevents them from re-growing, it thins the weed seed bank, gets at the roots, and is completely safe for the crop.

When the robot is low in battery, its autonomous charging station technology notifies the robot it needs to be charged, it then sends coordinates to the nearest charging station. In response, the robot goes to the charging station, plugs itself in, and gets back to where it left as soon as its fully charged.

We are pleased to announce that Eleos Robotics participated in the California Agtech CTA Program. This program provides companies with a unique opportunity to network with investors, customers, and potential partners in one of the strongest Agtech markets in the United States. The application process was highly competitive, yet Eleos Robotics demonstrated local experts and investors to have one of the highest possibilities of success.

The CTA program allowed participating companies to travel across California to receive extensive background on how to access the local markets. This includes exploring the regulatory and economic environment as well as learning how to acquire new customers and attract new investors. Throughout the program, selected companies had access to B2B meetings, pitching sessions, and several networking opportunities with California’s top Agtech-focused investors.

During the weeklong program, Eleos Robotics had the chance to meet with several venture capital firms. Overall, this was an amazing opportunity for the company to explore a fast-growing industry in one of the top Agtech markets. This program helped the company obtain the necessary resources to successfully enter the US market. Eleos Robotics would like to thank the Canadian Consulate of San Francisco and the Canadian Technology Accelerator for allowing the company to participate in this amazing program.

We are very happy to announce that Eleos Robotics placed in second place at the Future Agro Challenge (FAC) in Thessaloniki, Greece during the Global Agripreneurs Summit. This is a huge achievement for the company, an achievement that could not have been possible without the devotion of team Eleos Robotics, Raymond Crowley, and founder and CEO, Yahoel Van Essen.

August has just started and it has come with much exciting news. Firstly, Analytics Insight Magazine has released its July-August issue: “The 10 Most Intelligent Automation Solution Providers in 2019”. This issue lists 10 companies whose disruptive technology have changed business processes and operations across industries worldwide. In this issue, Company of the Month was divided into two categories: Innovation and Intelligent Product. We are proud to announce that Eleos Robotics not only made the list but was also featured as Company of the Month under Innovation! Click here to read the full story.

Secondly, Eleos Robotics was selected as a finalist to compete in the 4th Future Agro Challenge Global Championships. This event will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece during the Global Agripreneurs Summit on September 7-11, 2019. Innovators and industry leaders from all around the world will be showcasing cutting-edge solutions to boost sustainability and economic development in the agricultural industry.

Eleos Robotics will have the opportunity to participate in many workshops, receive training, and attend networking events. Only one organization will be awarded the Agripreneur of the Year. Click here to read more about the Global Agripreneurs Summit. We will be posting updates about the 4th Future Challenge Global Championships in our social media pages, don’t miss out!

Lastly, we would like to welcome Dave Friesen to the team. Mr. Friesen has a bachelors degree in physics and an engineering physics diploma in mechatronics from the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV). His time in university has equipped him with a deep understanding and practical skills in motor controls, electronic circuit design and assembly, and ARM and microcontroller programming.

During his final semester at UFV, Mr. Friesen was offered the opportunity to work at Eleos Robotics to help develop the motor controls and kinematic simulations of the RoboWeeder prototype, an offer he could not refuse. In his own words, working for Eleos Robotics meant having “the chance to work with engineers and computer scientists on a project where the boundaries of technology are being expanded [which] makes for an exciting opportunity to grow and learn with a team”.  Welcome to Eleos Robotics Mr. Friesen!

As previously mentioned, Eleos Robotics was selected as a finalist to compete in the 4th Future Agro Challenge Global Championships. This challenge will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece on September 7-11, 2019. The Global Agripreneurs Summit brings agrifood innovators and leaders around the world to drive economic development and sustainable growth in the agricultural section. The purpose of this summit is to “unlock new and natural capabilities to eliminate putting strains on earth’s soils and oceans or human and animal health”.

The theme for this year’s summit is “Defining the Future Farmer 4.0”. It aims to envision how technology will change farmers, food, and nutrition and bring that vision to reality. The goal is to have a deeper understanding of the future farmer and what it takes to get there. To do so, selected companies will receive training and will participate in a variety of workshops.

Finalists will participate in B2B meetings with industry experts, farmers, and stakeholders to create new synergies and cross border opportunities. Companies will have to come up with cutting-edge solutions to win the Agripreneur of the Year award.

Meet Sam Van Essen, he is currently doing his diploma in Mechatronics and Robotics at British Columbia Institute of Technology. His areas of expertise include Programming, Electronics, Electrical, and Mechanical. Sam Van Essen has recently joined our team as a Mechatronics Technician.

As a student, Sam Van Essen has gained abundant knowledge and practical skills in designing and operating mechatronic systems. He also worked as a laborer in manufacturing settings; during this time, he found a particular interest in manufacturing and automation which lead him to Eleos Robotics.

He enjoys the atmosphere at Eleos, his tasks are very diverse which he sees it as an opportunity to gain more knowledge and enhance the skills required for this field. We are very excited to have him with us, welcome to the team!

The agricultural industry has been experiencing a lot of innovation through newer technology. There are many organizations behind that change, the Agro Innovation Lab, for instance, has made it its goal to “play an active part in shaping the future of agriculture through innovation”.  To do so, Agro Innovation Lab created the Robotics Challenge 2019.

The Robotics Challenge 2019 aims to find solutions that enhance efficiency in agricultural processes. Companies must prove that their technology is sustainable and will help shape the future of this industry and the world. This year, companies had to provide solutions in weed control and fruit and vegetable harvesting. Winner of this challenge would enter into cooperation with a multi-billion European company.

Eleos Robotics competed in this challenge and was listed as one of the top agriculture robotics start-ups in the world. Founder of Eleos Robotics then traveled to Vienna, Austria where he had pitch among other top companies in agriculture. We are proud to say that Eleos Robotics placed top ten globally for this competition. Eleos would like to thank Agro Innovation Lab for this amazing experience and everyone for your warm and continuous support!

Founder of Eleos Robotics, Yahoel Van Essen, talks about RoboWeeder and how its technology will enhance vineyards and berry farm’s efficiency and productivity using cutting-edge technology. During the interview, Mr. Van Essen stated some of the challenges that Eleos Robotics has faced during the past three years and talks about the future of the company.

British Columbia Wine Grape Council hosted the Enology & Viticulture Conference & Tradeshow. This event focused on sustainable winegrowing and it had over 100 exhibitors showcasing their latest technology, equipment, and services now available to both wineries and growers. It took place at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre from July 14, 2019 to July 16, 2019.

Eleos Robotics’ RoboWeeder was a top attraction during the tradeshow. Patent-pending RoboWeeder uses precision microwave technology and artificial intelligence to identify and eliminate weeds. Growers showed a lot of interest to our AI weed-killing robot, they were satisfied to know that with RoboWeeder they have the option to go organic while improving efficiency, increasing productivity, and eliminating operational headaches.

As mentioned in our previous blog, Eleos Robotics was planning to go public, today those plans are becoming a reality. Instead of becoming public through a traditional initial public offer (IPO), the company has decided to become public through a reverse takeover (RTO). Unlike an IPO, an RTO requires a public listed (shell) company to acquire Eleos Robotics, as well as the owner of Eleos Robotics to buy the majority shares of that publicly traded company.

After many discussions between shareholders and stakeholders, Eleos Robotics would like to announce that the company will be acquired by Glenbriar Technologies Inc. subject to GTI AGM and CSE approval. Glenbriar’s common shares are currently listed under the Canadian Securities Exchange, trading symbol GTI.

There are certain development milestones the company must meet before the transaction is completed; these milestones may take up to a year to achieve. A shareholder meeting will soon be taking place to obtain shareholder approval of the transaction and its requirements. The transaction will follow the policies from the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE). It is estimated that Eleos Robotics will be able to raise up to $1,500,000 in this private placement. Around half of the funds have already been subscribed.

This is a huge step forward for Eleos Robotics. Everybody in the team is excited about the future of the company. The team is currently working hard on bringing RoboWeeder to its full potential. There have been more software upgrades made to our RoboWeeder prototype. More posts about current upgrades will be coming soon. Check our website and Tumblr account for more news to come!

Eleos Robotics have been experiencing enormous growth, as mentioned in our previous blog, the company has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Glenbriar Technologies Inc. subject to GTI AGM and CSE approval. This implies higher productivity and accelerated growth is expected from Eleos. To ensure RoboWeeder becomes the global standard for agri-tech, Eleos Robotics has been hiring people with years of multi-disciplinary expertise. We would like you to meet them:

Dr. Charles Foell lll, Data Scientist

Dr. Foell has many areas of expertise, these include Physics, Optic, Computer Vision, Machine Vision, and Data Science.

He obtained a Ph.D. in Optical Physics from the University of British Columbia, his Ph.D. research focused on the “integration and modeling of nano meter-sized single photon emitters (colloidal quantum dots) in silicon photonic circuits for integrated quantum optics”.

Dr. Foell has been working in the industry since 2013, since then he has gained abundant knowledge and experience in computer vision, machine vision, software, data science, data analysis, and data engineering.

Agricultural Technology (Agri Tech) is an industry that caught his attention for a long time, he considered all the practical and ethical benefits that this industry could bring to people. When he heard about Eleos Robotics, he was immediately interested and decided to contact Eleos Robotics’ CEO.

Although he already had a great interest in the industry and the company, Dr. Foell decided to join the team because of the “mission and promise of pesticide-free farming”. He also valued the talented people working for Eleos and thought he could bring great value to the company.

Iain Kay, Software Developer

Mr. Kay has four years of experience doing disaster control in many fields. He is currently working as a software developer at Eleos. His areas of expertise include App Development, Web Crawling, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Big Data Processing. 

He feels working with Eleos Robotics will give him the opportunity to work on automation involving ROS. Mr. Kay has a particular interest working in autonomous navigation which is an area he would like to explore in-depth and one of the reasons he decided to join the team.

As of right now, Mr. Kay would like to build “a functional autonomous robot stack implementing cutting edge open source Google technologies with our own computer vision model and navigation components”.

Simran Saggu, Software Developer

Mr. Saggu is currently working for Eleos Robotics as a software developer. He has been working in the industry for a couple of years. He considers himself to be a good problem solver as he feels he has “a knack for it”. Mr. Saggu’s interest in robots led him to join the team, one of his goals is to give life to many of them.

He feels building robots is a very complex process and one of the problems he wants to be good at solving. He believes he will be able to develop his skills further and expand his knowledge of robots by working for Eleos Robotics.

This year #BCTECHSummit took place at Vancouver Convention Centre from March 11 to March 13, 2019. This is the largest annual innovation conference in all Western Canada. Many businesses had the opportunity to showcase their latest innovations. Like Eleos Robotics, these companies aim to solve today’s worldwide challenges.

This conference offered Eleos Robotics the opportunity to showcase its current RoboWeeder prototype to many industry leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, government officials, and students. Eleos is currently working with four UFV engineering students and two professors on enhancing RoboWeeder’s electrical system and robotic arm modeling software.

Although #BCTECHSummit had the top emerging tech talent on display, RoboWeeder’s technology was able to attract many people as it can distinguish different types of weeds with the use of a camera and image recognition. RoboWeeder targets the weeds’ reproductive tissue and destroys them by radiating direct energy that heats them up dielectrically. Although there are many concerns regarding the labour shortage in the agricultural industry, RoboWeeder was able to show how its autonomy will alleviate the upcoming labour crisis in this sector.

Moreover, as the demand for ethically sourced products and sustainability practices increase, more companies will want to become eco-friendlier. This is why RoboWeeder is a great investment; it allows organizations to go fully organic while also earning a profit. RoboWeeder’s technology makes herbicides obsolete and takes care of a 10-acre area for an entire growing season! It helps growers save time and money while also helping them achieve production and sustainability goals.