Renu Robotics is inducing a seed of investment capital for the continued development of a multi-use autonomous maintenance tractor to serve the expanding solar industry. Renu robotics is based in San Antonio; the company already has the prototype in development that can autonomously perform daily vegetation maintenance of the solar farms. New models will cut, spray for the pesticides, clean panels and perform equipment inspections. This tractor requires minimal maintenance compared to gas cutter and will save solar companies 30 to 50 % on maintenance cost.
“The initial prototype came together beautifully and we are projecting performance that will exceed expectations,” said Tim Matus, president and CEO. “We’re excited about the prospects of the RenuBot maintenance tractor and plan to have tractors maintaining solar farms later this year.”
Each robotic tractor has GPS and stored maps of the surrounding area along with multiple sensors, ultrasonic’s and lidar to determine direction, position, speed, movement and nearby water or other hazards. Along with these other sensors monitor temperature, humidity, noise and acceleration that allow the tractor to work non-stop. The RenuBot, which runs on the sun’s energy and returns itself on its own to the docking bay for charging after maintaining the grounds at night, will strive to improve on autonomous models currently on the market with several enhancements.
The Renu Robotics Tractor provides the automation to safety and efficiency maneuver through the solar farm without human intervention. The tractor has wireless connectivity to allow for full-time monitoring and can be fitted with different mountings to perform a variety of services. Each tractor will operate on electrical power and require daily or periodic charging. Lithium battery modules can be added to provide the optimal amount of power needed for challenging topography or to increase run-time. The initial tractor design includes a cutting system that used blades and motor for cutting tall grass, and cutting deck can be moved up and down to set grass height or tilted to maneuver around varying levels throughout the facility. The company plans to raise more than $2 million for this new product.