Bill Gates invests $ 50 million in agricultural robots

Bill Gates continues to invest in companies related to the environment. Now the founder of Microsoft has invested his money in a startup that develops robots capable of growing plants in a sustainable way.

Silicon Valley startup Iron Ox recently managed to raise $ 50 million in a round led by the mogul’s Breakthrough Energy Ventures, according to a report.

The startup is developing robots, which are integrated into a hydroponic system, which uses 90% less water than traditional farms.

Hydroponics refers to soilless agriculture, it is a method of growing plants using mineral solutions.

“World-class investors know that humanity’s most important quest is to reverse climate change. To get there, we can’t be content with increasingly sustainable crops, and we can’t ask consumers to commit to taste, convenience or value, ”said CEO and co-founder of Iron Ox, Brandon Alexander, in a statement.

The robots have sensors that allow them to measure the nitrogen and acidity levels of the water, in order to achieve healthy plant growth. The tech company cultivates strawberries, Thai basil and is developing tomatoes, parsley and cilantro. Iron Ox operates farms in Northern California and earlier this year began construction on a new approximately 49.7 thousand square feet in Lockhart, Texas.

Bill Gates and renewable energies

Recently, Breakthrough Energy announced that it had succeeded in raising nearly a billion dollars to develop clean energy that will be essential in the fight against climate change. Among the seven investment firms are large companies such as American Airlines, Bank of America and General Motors.

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