SOLUTION / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
Saga Robotics’ autonomous robot Thorvald transforms global agriculture
- Published 28 November 2022; updated 23 March 2026; estimated reading time 3 minutes. Available in the Americas and Europe under Technology / Robotics and Agritech and food production.
- Saga Robotics develops Thorvald autonomous agricultural robots for field tasks. Thorvald 3 is described as using high-intensity UV-C light to control powdery mildew in strawberries and grapevines, reducing chemical treatment. Other tools include data collection and predatory-mite dispensing for crop monitoring, prediction and pest/disease management.
- The article says agriculture faces labour shortages and repetitive, physically demanding work while food production must grow to meet demand. It claims Thorvald can reduce pesticide use by 60–90%, lower emissions and waste, and execute tasks precisely at scale. A Clock House Farm managing director described three years of using UV-C on strawberries without chemical intervention for mildew control; the testimonial is dated December 2022.
- Market context cites Goldman Sachs projecting agritech at USD 240 billion and precision farming potentially increasing yields by up to 70% by 2050. Saga is reported to have over 50 employees and bases in Norway, the UK and US, with long-term contracts from UK strawberry growers and US grape producers. It received the Tech Business of the Year at the Lincolnshire Enterprise Awards 2023; CEO Anne Dingstad was named among Abelia’s top 50 Norwegian women in tech in 2023.
- The page notes UV-C researcher David Gadoury at Cornell was involved in initial research and thought the technology might extend to other plant diseases; this remains an attributed possibility.
- Linked to SDGs 2 (Zero hunger), 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) and 12 (Responsible consumption and production) for more efficient food production and lower pesticide use/waste.
- Contact: Tale Hagelsteen, Head of Marketing and Communications, thagelsteen@sagarobotics.com. Company: SAGA ROBOTICS AS, Waldemar Thranes gate 84B, 0175 Oslo, Norway; sagarobotics.com. A phone-number reveal control is present.