Robovision

This interview details Robovision, a company based in Belgium. The interview is with Rob Gielen, VP Solution Sales at Robovision.

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Could you talk a little bit about the origin of the company and some of the story related to that?

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Robovision began in 2009, initially focusing on vision consultancy for machine builders across various sectors. It wasn't until around 2014, with the involvement of our co-founder, that we shifted our focus towards deep learning, marking a revolutionary change in our approach.

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We developed a computer vision platform with deep learning at its core, initially concentrating on the agricultural sector. Our significant breakthrough came with our collaboration with a mechatronics and robotics company, leading to the successful deployment of a planting machine for the aquaculture industry, fully powered by our deep learning software. This project was pivotal, teaching us valuable lessons about deploying AI in challenging industrial environments. Since then, Robovision has grown to a team of 40, working globally, and has diversified into other sectors, including silicon and medical industries.

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What are some of the challenges for the company in the current market and horticulture?

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In the horticulture industry, a major challenge is the scarcity of manual labor for tasks like planting. Our solution uses deep learning and AI to automate these processes, overcoming the variability in plant size, appearance, and color. Our AI platform allows for the incorporation of domain experts' knowledge into deep learning models, enabling machines to learn and adapt to the task at hand. This approach is key in automating tasks in environments where product characteristics are constantly changing. Our modular approach has proven highly successful in addressing the unique challenges of the horticultural industry.

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How is Robovision different from other companies developing similar technology?

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Robovision sets itself apart through its collaboration model and focus on scalable AI algorithms. Unlike many companies, we don't aim to handle everything ourselves; instead, we partner with experts in mechatronics and robotics to create superior solutions in the agricultural robotics sector. Our business model revolves around creating scalable, robust AI algorithms for machines, distinguishing us from typical AI consultancy firms. Our success is closely tied to our partners' success; as they sell more machines, we license more software. This model ensures a shared motivation to create scalable and efficient AI solutions.

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Could you share more about the metrics of the business?

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A key metric for Robovision is the number of active licenses, which currently exceeds 1000, deployed in over 40 countries. Our focus spans across four key verticals: agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing (including the semiconductor industry), and the retail sector. We are currently deploying the fifth generation of our AI software, indicating a continuous refinement and improvement of our technology. Our pricing model is an annual subscription based on the complexity of the AI algorithm, varying from basic to highly complex applications.

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What have been some of your learnings about the AI space?

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One crucial learning is the importance of partnerships. About 90% of AI proof of concepts don't reach scalable deployment, primarily due to the experimental nature of AI projects. Successful deployment requires strong partnerships where all parties understand the iterative process of development. AI projects are never truly 'complete' as they require constant improvement and adaptation. Our approach focuses on developing these enduring partnerships and being honest yet persistent in our development efforts. This mindset is vital for achieving scalable AI applications.

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If people want to learn more about Robovision, where should they go?

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To learn more about Robovision, our website is the best starting point. We are also active on LinkedIn, where we regularly post updates about new developments and projects. Our field of AI, being highly visual, offers engaging content that showcases our technology in action. Following us on LinkedIn provides a dynamic view into our latest advancements and the visual nature of our work.

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