Root, the company responsible for developing and operating the augmented reality agricultural assistance app "Agri-AR," is currently conducting a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise 1 million yen. This funding is intended to implement additional features for the forestry sector, reflecting the company’s commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity through innovative technology.
Founded with the vision of revitalizing small to medium-sized farms, Root has made remarkable strides since the launch of Agri-AR, which occurred in April 2024. The app’s functionalities include guidance for straight lines, measuring distances and areas, AR visualization of fertilizer distribution, and the ability to log and recreate work tasks. By leveraging augmented reality and various devices, the application aids farmers and forest industries alike.
Notably, the development of Agri-AR was supported from its inception by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries under their strategically significant technological advancements program, which began back in 2022. This endorsement has bolstered the app's credibility and facilitated its growth.
Root’s CEO, Keisuke Kishi, is actively involved not only in the app’s development but also participates practically as a farmer and hunter, enriching the app’s design with firsthand agricultural knowledge. The app is compatible with both smartphones and the VR/MR headset, Meta Quest 3, and is available for approximately 5,000 yen monthly. With over 200 implementations across various agricultural establishments, including technological centers and agricultural supply companies, Agri-AR is gaining traction nationwide. Remarkably, it has also been adopted by research centers under the Philippine Department of Agriculture, showcasing its international relevance.
The current crowdfunding initiative aims to introduce two new features geared toward forestry operations. The first feature, termed "surrounding measurement," is intended to aid users during thinning operations by calculating the area of the work site. The second feature, named "standard value investigation," will assist users in estimating variables like the number and size of trees within set boundaries.
Both new capabilities are already under beta testing, and demo videos have been released to give potential users insights on their applications and benefits. The enhanced features are set to be integrated with the existing functionalities of Agri-AR, creating more comprehensive support for agricultural activities.
The crowdfunding campaign will run until the end of January 2025, providing various incentive tiers for supporters. Backers can expect access to app usage rights at discounted rates, fostering community support for this innovative tool.
This funding opportunity not only seeks to improve the Agri-AR app but also reflects the growing importance of technology within agriculture and forestry sectors, encouraging more efficient practices and bolstering productivity. The emphasis on community involvement through crowdfunding showcases the dedication Root has toward not just enhancing their product, but also building relationships with users who will benefit from their technological advancements.
For those interested, details on how to contribute to the campaign can be found on the crowdfunding platform, allowing supporters to engage directly with the evolution of this promising agricultural tool.
The emphasis on agricultural innovation aligns with the global trend toward more sustainable and efficient farming practices, using technology to bridge the gap between traditional methods and modern solutions.
Root’s initiative is illustrative of how AR technology is progressively being integrated within the agricultural space, providing farmers with actionable insights and support to make more informed decisions. By fostering stakeholder engagement through crowdfunding, Root aims not only to develop its app but also to inspire broader participation and investment within the agricultural technology sector.
With the campaign well underway, the agricultural community and interested backers are now eagerly observing the potential advancements this funding could facilitate, marking significant progress for Root and the Agri-AR platform as they push toward more advanced, tech-driven agricultural methodologies.
