Ant Robotics’ Valera Cube: Autonomous Platform for Precision Agriculture
Ant Robotics has introduced the Valera Cube, a solar-powered, autonomous tool carrier designed to enhance efficiency and reduce labor costs in high-value crop production. The platform is adaptable to various environments, including polytunnels, vineyards, tabletops, and field crops, offering a flexible solution for plant protection, crop care, and monitoring.
Versatile Design and Applications
The Valera Cube’s portal-style design allows it to navigate over hanging and standing racks, as well as within polytunnels. It can be configured in portrait or landscape format to suit different production systems, driving over beds, within tunnels, or across field sections. With a working width of up to three meters, the robot can cover multiple rows in a single pass, minimizing soil compaction due to its relatively low weight of approximately 300 kg.
Initially positioned as a plant protection platform, the Valera Cube is equipped for tasks like spraying and UVC treatment. It can be expanded with modules for beneficial insect distribution, pollination support, and crop monitoring, making it a multifunctional tool for growers. The robot is suitable for a wide range of crops, including strawberries, raspberries, grapes, tomatoes, wheat, and corn.
Key Features and Technology
The Valera Cube utilizes a 360-degree laser system, cameras, and mapping technology for autonomous navigation. Waypoint-based control, combined with safety sensors and real-time human recognition, ensures safe operation in environments where workers are present. Its two-wheel electric drivetrain contributes to maneuverability, with a maximum operating speed of around 4 km per hour.
Modular Power and Configuration
The platform is powered by an electrical system that can be combined with solar modules, providing an operating time of roughly four to five hours, depending on configuration and solar input. Both battery capacity and solar setup are expandable, as are options for detection systems, navigation technologies, and drive power. The open chassis architecture allows for flexible tool mounting, adapting to specific crop and operational needs.
Availability and Pricing
The Valera Cube is currently available in the EU, UK, Australia, and the United States. Pricing ranges from €50,000 to €90,000 (approximately $59,014 to $106,226), depending on tooling, configuration, and the number of rows treated. Ant Robotics also offers the Valera Carry, an autonomous harvest bin transporter.
Innovation Recognition
Ant Robotics’ Valera Cube received an innovation prize at the expoSE trade fair in 2025. The robot navigates with sensor-based precision within tunnels.