Saga Robotic :: Robots Designed for Real-World Field Operations in High-Value Crops Like Strawberries & Grapevines

Saga Robotics is a Norwegian agritech company founded in 2016 (with roots in a 2014 university project at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences) that develops autonomous robotic solutions for sustainable farming. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, with offices in the UK (Lincoln/Yalding) and the US (Paso Robles, California), the company addresses key challenges in modern agriculture: labor shortages, chemical dependency, soil health, and the need for precise, data-driven crop management. Saga’s flagship platform, Thorvald, is a modular, lightweight, electric autonomous mobile robot designed for real-world field operations in high-value crops like strawberries and grapevines.

Thorvald stands out for its Dual-axis Drive (DAD) modular design, which allows easy module swaps for minimal downtime and adaptability to different terrains, greenhouse/polytunnel setups, and open fields. The robot operates autonomously with high uptime (reported at 97%), covering large areas through frequent, precise passes that traditional heavy machinery cannot match. Its primary application is UV-C light treatment for fungal disease control (especially powdery mildew), providing a chemical-free, residue-free alternative to fungicides and sulfur treatments. This reduces pesticide use by 70-100% in deployed scenarios while improving yields and fruit quality.

Beyond treatment, Thorvald integrates AI-driven data collection with dual cameras that scan rows, counting flowers/fruits and assessing ripeness every few days. This delivers actionable farm-wide insights without extra equipment or labor, supporting better decision-making for growers. The platform has scaled significantly: over 150 robots in operation, treating ~1,300 vineyard acres in California, covering about 20% of the UK tabletop strawberry market, protecting millions of bottles of wine, and treating over a billion strawberries with minimal synthetic pesticides. Lifetime stats include 300,000+ km driven autonomously.

Key benefits include lower carbon emissions, reduced soil compaction, labor savings, and support for regenerative/sustainable practices. Thorvald is fully electric, lightweight, and designed for 24/7 operations (often nighttime for UV-C). It has been proven in commercial settings with partners like WB Chambers Farms, LM Porter, Bien Nacido, and Bonterra Organic Estates. Saga emphasizes real-world testing alongside growers, modular extensibility for future tools (beyond UV-C), and positive unit economics for ROI. The company continues expanding globally while maintaining a strong focus on ESG impact.