Swap Robotics is making sustainable outdoor work equipment as presented at TechCrunch Disrupt Startup Battlefield. For the next years, the startup's focus will be on creating and facilitating robots that cut grass and vegetation on over a thousand acre utility-scale solar farms. Their secondary focus is sidewalk snow plowing.
(Photo : Harry Trump/Getty Images)
BISHOPS LYDEARD, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Detailed view of the grass cutter as it makes its way around the outfield at Wombats Cricket Club on June 25, 2020 in Bishops Lydeard, England.
Initially, they planned to develop a robotic cutting solution for sports field, but due to the challenges in utility-scale solar installations, the company changed its course.
Solar vegetation cutting is challenging because it needs a special type of cutting deck that can get underneath solar panels. Other challenges is the use of gasoline or diesel-powered equipment and the high costs associated with it.
100 Percent Electric and More Sustainable
Their robots come with built-in hydraulics that move the grass cutting blades. The attachments have a "quick swap" system that make it easier and quicker to switch attachments. Additionally, their batteries can be swapped in five minutes that allow for 24/7 operation.
According to the company, they have developed the world's first 100 percent electric cutting deck that can reach grass and vegetation underneath solar panels. In addition, they also claim to have developed the world's first 100 percent electric "rough cut" deck that can cut down vegetation up to two-inches in diameter easily.
Currently, they have several robots in commercial operation in Texas and are on the midst of releasing a batch of ten new robots. The company also has ordered supplies for the next batch of ten robots.
Swap Robotics is also creating a new market for their solution by creating a new need and fulfilling it. There is a real need for machinery that can do the same task cheaper, more efficiently and with a greener footprint. So far, their robots have been doing a great job at their job and their sales has been growing steadily. They have proven that their solution is much better than the current one. And with the growing need for renewable energy, they are entering a brand new market and they have the potential of becoming a dominant player in it.
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Solar Farm Vegetation Cutters Help Solar Grow Even More
As far as the largest solar companies in the world is concerned, they will continue to secure large tracts of land and develop new utility-scale solar farms. And with the growing demand for renewable energy, there will be a growing need for solar farm vegetation cutters to support the industry.
Swap Robotics is also planning to enter another new market that is currently underserved - snow plowing. Snow plowing is currently done manually with a shovel or snow blower which is expensive, dangerous and can cause injuries to the workers. Solar farms are at risk of losing thousands of dollars in revenues when snowfall interrupts their operations. Snow plowing makes it easier and safer to continue operations.
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Written by April Fowell
