Saga Robotics

When field crews leave strawberry farms in the United Kingdom or vineyards in California at the end of the day, an autonomous robot may continue the work. Moving quietly between crop rows, equipped with sensors and UV-C modules, Thorvald operates during the night hours. The platform is developed by Saga Robotics AS, a company founded in 2016 with roots in robotics research at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in Ås. Saga Robotics positions itself within the agricultural technology sector as a provider of autonomous systems designed to support more sustainable crop production. The company focuses on high-value specialty crops, particularly where fungal disease pressure, regulatory constraints on chemical inputs, and seasonal labor shortages create operational challenges. Its approach centers on integrating modular robotics into established farming workflows, enabling gradual adoption within existing infrastructure.

Technology and Product

Thorvald is a battery-electric autonomous field robot built on a modular chassis that supports interchangeable tools and sensor systems. Designed for use in polytunnels, open fields and vineyards, the platform combines crop treatment and continuous data collection within existing farm structures. Its architecture allows different implements to be mounted depending on crop type and production needs, enabling year-round utilization of the robotic base system. A central application is UV-C light treatment for fungal disease control, applied at night under controlled exposure levels. The system targets pathogens such as powdery mildew and is intended to complement existing crop protection strategies. Integrated cameras and analytics software capture plant-level data including flower density, fruit counts, canopy development and yield indicators.

Multi-functional and autonomous, Thorvald aims to transform the scope of modern farming. (© SAGA Robotics)

Industrial Fit and Applications

Saga Robotics targets high-value, labor-intensive crops where fungal pressure, input regulations and workforce constraints shape production decisions. Commercial deployments have been reported in UK strawberry farms and Californian vineyards, particularly in mildew management programs. By combining automated treatment with ongoing data acquisition, Thorvald supports production systems that seek to reduce reliance on chemical fungicides while increasing operational transparency. Its compatibility with established growing systems, according to the company, enables integration into commercial farm operations without major structural modification.

In California, Thorvald robots treated almost 1,300 acres of vineyards. (© SAGA Robotics)

Founding Team

Saga Robotics was founded in 2016 by Pål Johan From and Lars Grimstad, both with backgrounds in robotics research at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. Their academic work on adaptable field robots for specialty crops laid the foundation for the Thorvald platform.