By early 2018, Iron Ox, the startup behind this project, plans to open a large-scale production farm of over 700 square meters nearby. The company's goal is to create a fully automated farm that operates at the same cost as traditional agriculture. This vision could revolutionize how we think about food production.

The two co-founders of Iron Ox previously worked on different projects within Alphabet’s X innovation lab. One was involved in developing delivery drones, while the other focused on building room service robots for hotels. While they enjoyed their work, they were driven to explore more impactful applications of technology. “Robots have made great strides in recent years—sensors are cheaper, and software is more powerful,” said Brandon Alexander, co-founder and CEO of Iron Ox. “We believe there’s a bigger opportunity to make a difference.”

They saw potential in the food industry, which is facing several challenges. For instance, most lettuce is grown in California and Arizona, regions now dealing with water shortages and rising temperatures due to climate change. Lettuce is often treated with multiple pesticides before harvest and must be transported thousands of miles to reach consumers across the U.S. Meanwhile, the number of people working in agriculture is decreasing, leading to labor shortages.

Indoor farming uses less water, space, and no pesticides, and it isn’t limited by geography. However, after researching the market, Alexander and co-founder Jon Binney found that cost remained a major barrier. “We love the idea of greenhouse farming,” Alexander said, “but the question is: why aren’t most crops grown indoors? We realized the biggest issue is cost—indoor-grown lettuce can be twice as expensive as outdoor-grown.”

Another Silicon Valley-based agricultural startup, Plenty, recently raised $200 million to maximize small-scale harvests through efficient space use. Iron Ox takes a different approach, focusing on reducing labor costs, which can account for up to half of total production expenses. Currently, greenhouse-grown lettuce can cost around $3.99 per unit, compared to just $1.99 from traditional farms.

“If your product is always more expensive, it will only serve a niche market,” Alexander said. “To achieve the impact we want, we need to make this kind of produce accessible—not just affordable, but available to everyone.”

In Iron Ox’s system, robotic arms manage compact trays filled with nutrient-rich water where seeds sprout. As plants grow, the robots move them to larger trays, maximizing space efficiency. The arms also scan each plant using cameras, identifying any issues such as pests or discoloration. Plants showing signs of mold are automatically removed. These robots learn and improve over time using machine learning techniques.

While Iron Ox isn't the first to use automation in lettuce farming—Japan already has a factory producing millions of heads annually—their system offers greater flexibility and higher levels of automation. “The Japanese farm follows a fixed process,” Alexander explained. “We want to keep things as simple as possible. All we need is a concrete floor and lightweight hydroponic trays. Our robots are mobile, and we can adjust our layout or operations through software.”

As the company expands its first farm in San Carlos, it plans to sell its crops to local chefs who value sustainability. Once output increases, the produce will also be available in grocery stores. Ultimately, Iron Ox aims to establish farms near consumers across the U.S., reducing the need for long-distance transportation. The company also plans to expand into other types of farming. (Lebang)

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