Raven’s acquisition of DOT can strengthen its position to commercialise autonomy in agriculture
Raven to acquire majority stake in DOT (Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay)
Raven Industries has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in DOT Technology, a provider of autonomous agriculture solutions, for an undisclosed amount.
Raven’s investment aligns with its Applied Technology division and supports its recently announced strategic growth platform, Raven Autonomy.
DOT is the designer and manufacturer of U-shaped diesel-powered platform, which can autonomously handle a large variety of agriculture implements.
Using an accurate path planning technology, the platform can complete tasks autonomously. It will help agriculture professionals in making better use of their time and overall operations.
With majority ownership, Raven will use the strengths of the two companies to drive commercialisation and adoption efforts of autonomy in agriculture.
Raven offers steering, guidance and machine control technology, while DOT brings field path planning, user control experience, machine safety and remote communication software to this unique relationship.
Raven and DOT expect to develop fully-autonomous agriculture solutions
Together, the two companies expect to speed up the development of precision agriculture technology from semi-autonomous to fully-autonomous solutions.
The two companies could help farmers in addressing labour shortages, high equipment cost and rising operational expenses. The focus will enable farmers to continue to drive more efficiency into their farming operations and grow more food through autonomy.
The transaction is expected to be closed in this month, the company stated.
Raven Industries president and CEO Dan Rykhus said: “Over the last year and a half of collaborating with DOT, Raven has come to understand the value and uniqueness of the Dot Platform.
“We are furthering our investment in and ownership of this unique, disruptive technology. By investing in DOT’s growth, we believe we have the ability to lead in the next revolution of production agriculture.”
Since last May, the two companies have been working together, when the former announced that DOT Platform will be outfitted with its Raven technology, including steering, guidance and propulsion.
DOT Technology owner and founder Norbert Beaujot said: “As a company, we launched the Dot Platform to change farming. Raven has been a critical partner in helping to get Dot to where we are today.
“Our combined technologies will undoubtedly help accelerate speed to market and adoption of machine automation.”