Ecorobotix on the Future of Farming: Precision, Efficiency, and Sustainability

Celebrating 15 years of the Top100 Swiss Startup Award, we spotlight the pioneers who shaped their industries. Among them is Ecorobotix, ranked in the Top100 Swiss Startups and a multiple-time participant in the Venture Leaders program. Born as a Swiss agritech startup, Ecorobotix has become a global leader in AI-based ultra-high-precision crop care — reducing chemical use by up to 95%, boosting yields, and lowering agriculture’s environmental footprint. Co-founders Aurélien Demaurex and Steve Tanner explain how they are changing the way farming is done.

As Top100 celebrates its 15th anniversary, Ecorobotix shows how Swiss innovation can transform agriculture through AI-powered ultra-high precision crop care. By analyzing plant-level data and applying targeted treatments, the company helps farmers reduce chemical use by up to 95%, increase yields, and lower environmental impact. In October 2025, Ecorobotix raised USD 150 million to scale its precision farming technology globally.

"The more investors you talk to,
the greater your chances of finding
the right partners for financing
and market adoption."

How did the idea of autonomous robots for agriculture start?
The idea for Ecorobotix was born from witnessing the waste and environmental harm of conventional farming, especially in pesticide usage. In 2011, with my experience in business and startups and Steve Tanner’s tech and agricultural background, we set out to create ultra-precise agriculture robots. Our mission was clear: cut chemicals, protect the soil, and help farmers improve efficiency with technology that truly respects the environment.

What was your earliest prototype or field test like?
Our earliest prototype was a humble mix of 3D-printed parts, off-the-shelf components, and a lot of trial and error in a small workshop in Switzerland around 2011. It was a solar-powered autonomous robot designed to recognize weeds and spray them plant by plant. After several iterations and versions of the robot, we realized that the market was convinced by our AI-powered ultra-high precision technology, but not by autonomous robotics. So we pivoted by “hooking” our autonomous robot onto a tractor. Our flagship sprayer ARA was born.

Ecorobotix flagship sprayer ARA

How has Ecorobotix achieved its growth in a demanding market?Ecorobotix has grown because the challenges farmers face are real and urgent. The AI-powered, plant-by-plant sprayer ARA offers tangible benefits: lower input costs, higher yields, and the flexibility to safely use non-selective products. It also provides peace of mind, helping farmers comply with increasingly strict regulations.

What strategies have helped Ecorobotix secure financing and win customers effectively?
Early validation with pilot customers was critical. Initially, we focused on advanced technology before securing committed users — and learned that engaging target customers from the start ensures you are solving the right problem. A bold, long-term vision attracts investors and partners who believe in the mission. Persistence is also key: the more investors you talk to, the more feedback you get, and the greater your chances of finding the right partners for financing and market adoption.

What are Ecorobotix’s plans for growth in the coming years?
Ecorobotix will continue to pursue innovation by expanding into new crop types, broadening its product range, and bringing advanced crop algorithms to market faster.

Which milestones defined Ecorobotix’s path?
>   2011 – Start of the project as a hobby by Aurélien Demaurex and Steve Tanner, with a clear focus on sustainable precision agriculture.
>   2014 – Official start of Ecorobotix, first employees.
>   2015–2018 – First selective spraying achieved in real field conditions and onboarding of early pilot customers, validating the technology’s effectiveness.
>   2019 – The company achieve B-Corp certification, a testament to our commitment to sustainability, ethics and transparency. 
>   2021 – Commercial launch of the ARA Ultra-High Precision Sprayer, reducing chemical usage by up to 95% and establishing a strong market differentiation.
>   2022 – Expansion into several European markets, demonstrating the adaptability of ARA across multiple crops, including lettuce, onions, and sugar beets.
>   2023 – Successful CHF 52 million funding round to scale production and entry into the North American markets, with the establishment of a U.S. subsidiary.
>   2024 – Introduction of new crop algorithms (e.g., salads, broccoli, carrots) and appointment of Dominique Mégret as CEO, strengthening global governance and operations.

 These milestones illustrate Ecorobotix’s evolution from a Swiss startup into a global agri-tech company, combining technological innovation, international expansion, and organizational growth.

"After a lot of trial and error,
our flagship sprayer ARA was born."

What was the hardest challenge in scaling agricultural robotics?
One of the hardest steps was moving from prototype to mass production. We had to make the machines robust enough for daily farm use, integrate seamlessly with existing equipment, and keep costs accessible. At the same time, our Plant-by-Plant™ AI had to adapt to highly variable field conditions: different crops, weeds, soils, and lighting, while still ensuring a >1cm precision. Achieving this required relentless field testing, continuous AI refinement, and close collaboration with farmers and industrial partners.

Ecorobotix old prototypes

How has Ecorobotix shaped the conversation around sustainable farming?
Ecorobotix has helped reshape the global conversation on sustainable farming by proving that precision agriculture can dramatically reduce chemical use — by up to 95% — while maintaining or even improving yields. Guided by our vision to Reduce (chemistry), Replace (chemistry), Regenerate (nature), we’ve shown that AI-driven technologies can simultaneously address environmental challenges and farmers’ economic realities.

Today, with adoption in more than 20 countries and growing recognition — including being named among NZZ Sustainable Switzerland’s Sustainable Shapers — we are establishing ultra-high-precision spraying as a catalyst for regenerative, profitable, and climate-resilient agriculture.

What will agriculture look like in 10 years with robotics?
In ten years, farms will be highly automated, with machines planting, weeding, spraying, and harvesting with unprecedented precision. AI will turn fields into data-rich ecosystems where every intervention is optimized, chemical inputs are minimized, and biodiversity can thrive. Farmers will shift from physically demanding labor to strategic decision-making, leveraging robotics and data to drive efficiency, resilience, and sustainability. At Ecorobotix, we envision farms that not only feed a growing world but also regenerate soils and ecosystems — proving that productivity and environmental stewardship can advance together.

Which early design choice most influenced your journey?
Our most defining choice was to pivot from a lightweight, solar-powered and autonomous spraying robot to creating an ultra-high precision sprayer. This shift enabled us to come to the market with a stable solution that answers farmers needs, achieving up to 95% chemical reduction, increasing yield while minimizing crop stress, and delivering true plant-by-plant targeting. It turned a bold technological pivot into both a viable market opportunity and a measurable step toward sustainable agriculture.