Former Alphabet X spin‑out Mineral teams up with John Deere to innovate farming tech
Alphabet’s Ag-Tech Startup Mineral Trims the Hooves on Its Dream Factory
Why the sudden ranch‑rundown?
Alphabet’s attempt to mix charm with robotics for the farm had to pull the plug early this year. With Google’s budget tightening, the company decided the market was too crowded and the profit line too skinny. So, Mineral closed the barn doors, pivoted to just licensing the tech it had built, and left the field swinging.
Lightning–quick twist: John Deere swoops in
- John Deere hopped on board, snapping up one of Mineral’s “See & Spray” technology bundles.
- Elliott Grant, the mining CEO, re‑shuffled the leaked memo into a social‑media post and spilled the beans: the contract’s a win for Deere’s new crop‑spraying platform.
Grant’s take on agriculture “relay races”
In a heartfelt sharing post, Grant wrote, “The challenge of solving sustainable agriculture remains ahead of us. But it’s a relay race not a sprint.” A reminder that every tech‑savvy farmer’s journey is a long‑haul, hand‑off adventure.
What’s next for Mineral’s tech?
Even as Mineral’s physical venture paused, its equations and algorithms live on in partnership with John Deere. One might think the startup’s engine was idle, but the virtual boost is still accelerating around the globe—minus the silo‑grange of a plant.
Takeaway for the tech‑farm crowd
Don’t give up on big ideas too soon. Your tech can still blaze a trail—just perhaps on a coop’s dashboard instead of the front field. Stay tuned, stay ready, and keep those relay‑arms cheering!