Skip to main content

Like Roombas for your garden, Farmbot Genesis automates home farming

Like Roombas for your garden, these robots automate home farming

Farmbot Express
Farmbot

It’s been a while since FarmBot made headlines transforming the average Joe into a seasoned gardener, but the do-it-yourself agricultural robot has been refreshed and is now available in two new flavors. Both the FarmBot Express and Express XL are now on pre-order through the company’s website, with lower starting prices than what the original model cost in 2016.

If you’re not familiar with FarmBot, it’s essentially a DIY agriculture robot that will create and maintain your garden. Setup still requires a human touch, but it can easily be completed within an hour. Once it’s all configured and running, there is really no other human interaction that is necessary because it’s all automated. For those who were never really into gardening, FarmBot takes away all the hassle that traditional gardeners must go through by automating the process. You won’t have to sweat and bake under the sun anymore with FarmBot.

Recommended Videos

With these two upcoming models, which are slated for release sometime in November, they’re affordably priced to entice those who were probably hesitant about the original model’s hefty price tag. The only difference between the two new models is that the FarmBot Express XL offers more coverage to help you grow even more produce. More room, more produce for you to enjoy and sell. Much like the original, these new FarmBots allow you to graphically design your garden using an app, as well as controlling and customizing its various parameters — like how often you want to water the garden, taking photos, and even scaring away some birds that become curious.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The FarmBot Express fetches for $1,495, while the Express XL will have a $1,995 sticker price. While they may seem pricey, it still beats having to do all of the hard work in getting seeds planted and continuing to water them. Another thing worth pointing out is that you can essentially farm from anywhere. You never know what may come out of buying one of them, especially when it’s all automated once you get them set up. Quite possibly, you can start your own farming business and sell your harvest! So maybe, all that initial investment will pay off down the road?

John Velasco
John is the Smart Home editor at Digital Trends covering all of the latest tech in this emerging market. From uncovering some…
Dryers hurt the wallet and our planet. Research gives a simple solution
LG Dryer with an open door.

A couple of years ago, experts at the City University of Hong Kong reported that a single clothes dryer can pump up to 120 million microfibers into the environment. When ingested or inhaled, especially if they are synthetic in nature, they can lead to numerous health problems, while also carrying other pollutants.

Now, another research says the humble drying appliance in our homes contributes to tons of carbon dioxide blasted into the air and costs thousands of dollars in electricity bills each year. The findings are quite an eye-opener, and so is the solution.
A massive cost and emission headache
As per the research published by the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability, over 80% homes in the United State have a dryer, much higher than any other country in the world. They consume nearly 3% of a household’s electricity budget each year.

Read more
iRobot reveals gigantic lineup of affordable Roomba robot vacuums
All the upcoming Roomba robots on display

iRobot is one of the most popular manufacturers of robot vacuums, and its lineup is about to grow much more enticing. Several new models will be up for presale on March 18 -- all of which feature prices under $1,000. That makes them affordable alternatives to expensive options like the Roomba Combo 10 Max or Roborock Saros 10R, both of which carry hefty price tags of around $1,500. This is the largest product launch in the history of iRobot (featuring eight products), and it’s designed to offer a solution for every budget.

The most expensive of the bunch is the Roomba Plus 505 Combo Robot + AutoWash Dock. Designed with dual rotating mop pads that can swing outward, 70 times more suction than the older Roomba 600 series, and a LiDAR system that should deftly maneuver your home day or night, it looks like a well-equipped robot for $999.

Read more
iRobot running on low battery as new products fail to clean up concerns
iRobot Roomba.

On Tuesday, iRobot announced its most comprehensive lineup of new consumer products. However, today, Bloomberg reported that the company has raised “substantial doubt” in its earnings results about its ability to continue operating. This news follows Amazon’s decision last year to abandon its plans to acquire the Roomba maker after European regulators suggested they might block the deal.

The company, which Amazon was planning to purchase for more than $1 billion, has a market value of less than $200 million as of Tuesday. The company is working on a formal strategic review to evaluate options to stay afloat. It’s also amending its existing term loan and is having discussions with its primary lender.

Read more