Smart Farm Robotix: Bulgarian Innovation Driven by Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

In the midst of a global technological revolution, Bulgarian agriculture is steadily entering a new era powered by robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). Despite the fact that much of Europe’s innovation focus often shifts toward other industries and access to funding for agri-tech startups remains a challenge, companies like Smart Farm Robotix demonstrate that Bulgarian agricultural technology holds strong potential, commented Rossen Kolev, co-founder of Smart Farm Robotix, in an interview for Bloomberg TV Bulgaria’s “Business Start.”

Robotics and AI Transforming Agriculture

According to Kolev, the agricultural revolution continues despite challenges with financing, investor interest, and workforce availability. Digitalization in agricultural machinery is advancing steadily, as software upgrades to existing platforms—such as tractors—offer a faster and more efficient path to market than developing entirely new hardware.

The Weeding Robot: AI Serving Organic Farming

A key innovation from Smart Farm Robotix is RoboAiWeeder, a lightweight, affordable, and fully autonomous robot powered by solar energy. The robot uses image recognition and AI to distinguish between weeds and crops. Once identified, the weeds are eliminated using a focused energy beam—without the need for herbicides. The weeds die within days after treatment, explained Kolev.

This method fully complies with the principles of organic farming, making the technology highly valuable and scalable. The company plans to offer the robot as a “service model” to farmers rather than a one-time purchase.

“It’s completely safe, highly scalable, and can be applied on a large scale. Next spring, we’ll begin offering the robot as a service,” said Kolev.

The initial response from farmers has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The conversation always follows a similar pattern. At first, they see it as a toy or a Mars rover. Then, after a few minutes of explanation, they go silent—and finally ask, ‘Okay, when can this be in my field?’”

Farmers’ interest stems largely from the growing need for automation and digitalization, driven by persistent labor shortages in the agricultural sector.

Data – The New Gold of the Fields

The role of AI in agriculture extends far beyond autonomous weeding. According to Kolev, its primary value lies in data collection and analysis. The goal is for all agricultural machinery to serve as platforms for gathering data—whether through image recognition or various field sensors. AI enables greater precision and faster identification of issues such as weeds, diseases, and pests.

While Bulgaria has made significant progress in the digitalization of agriculture—particularly compared to other countries in Central and Eastern Europe—high levels of automation remain concentrated among large enterprises that can afford advanced technologies.

Investments and Intellectual Property

Smart Farm Robotix aims to make innovation accessible to small and medium-sized farmers, who represent a major portion of the agricultural sector but often cannot afford costly new technologies. For these users, any investment must pay off within two to three years to be viable.

Kolev remains optimistic about market potential:

“The field is so vast and so open. Unfortunately—or fortunately—there will be many opportunities for automation in agriculture for years, if not decades, to come.”

He notes that there is no universal solution that works everywhere, given differences in crops, climates, soils, and terrain.

Protecting intellectual property is a key priority for Smart Farm Robotix. Patents not only provide legal protection but also open up business opportunities and reassure investors that their investments rest on a solid foundation.

“A patent provides multiple advantages: first, protection; second, it opens doors to business opportunities; and third, it gives investors confidence that their investment is secure,” concluded Kolev.

The full interview with Rossen Kolev, co-founder of Smart Farm Robotix, can be viewed here

Agriventures is a non-profit organization based in Europe that supports the development of startups and innovators in the agriculture and food sectors. Its mission is to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable and competitive agri-food ecosystem by connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, and investors.

Agriventures works to improve access to European funding, foster the commercialization of scientific research, and promote innovation-driven solutions in biotechnology, food technology, and sustainable agriculture.

Through its growing network of entrepreneurs, experts, and partners, Agriventures aims to strengthen CEE's position as a regional hub for agri-tech innovation and empower the next generation of farmers and changemakers.