Terra Force CEO and Founder Michial J. Jacob addresses the crowd during the Terra Force launch, Wednesday afternoon. The agriculture technology business will use AI-powered machines to harvest, package and plant foods like watermelons. Photo by Katie Peters
VINCENNES — Terra Force, a new agriculture technology business, launched from The Pantheon Wednesday afternoon with a press conference attended by many.
The new agriculture technology business will automate the most labor intensive process of harvesting foods like watermelons, according to the CEO and Founder Michial J. Jacob.
Beginning this summer, Terra Force’s AI-powered vehicle will be rolling down the drive rows of melon fields, offering harvesting, packing and planting services. According to Terra Force's website, the AI-powered robots are "equipped with advanced sensors and algorithms to identify ripe fruits and harvest them with precision and efficiency."
This business comes as a response to what Jacob calls a “$42 billion problem for farmers” — labor.
A press release by The Pantheon claims the machine “will save farmers almost $700 per acre by working 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“It’s another example of innovation that was created at The Pantheon,” Nichole Like, Pantheon CEO, said in the press release. “Mike was connected with farmers on our Ag Tech Committee and this all began after hearing about how labor costs are increasing over 6% each year.”
Those seeking more information on Terra Force can visit terraforce.ai.
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