Orchard Robotics, founded by a Thiel fellow Cornell dropout, raises $22M for farm vision AI 

Orchard Robotics, a startup founded by a Thiel fellow Cornell dropout, has raised $22 million in funding. The company's focus is on developing vision AI technology for farm management. Orchard Robotics uses truck-mounted cameras to collect data about the health and condition of crops. This data is then analyzed using the company's proprietary AI algorithms to provide farmers with insights and recommendations for improving crop yields and reducing waste. The funding round was led by Ignition Partners, with participation from other investors. The startup plans to use the funds to further develop its technology, expand its team, and scale its operations. The company's founder, a former Thiel fellow who dropped out of Cornell, has a background in computer vision and machine learning. Orchard Robotics' technology is aimed at helping farmers make more informed decisions and optimize their operations, potentially leading to increased productivity and sustainability in the agricultural sector.