MULA to bridge technology gap
Spanish startup MULA was only founded 2 years ago but with a track record in mobility and solar energy, it aims to bring new technologies to almond, avocado, blueberry and kiwi growers and here’s how.
Spanish startup MULA premiered their multipurpose field robot at last year’s EIMA trade show in Bologna (Italy) and chose World FIRA to give the first public demos with their MULA 1250 field robot. The number 1250 stands for the vehicle width in centimetres and the company wants to introduce multiple versions with vehicle widths ranging from 0.85 to 2.0 metres.
Equivalent to 50 hp tractor
MULA 1250 is a fully electrical autonomous platform that comes with battery capacities ranging from 32, 44 to 64 kWh. The electrical driveline delivers 4×3 kW nominal and 4×6 kW peak power which is equivalent to a 50 hp tractor the company says. The empty weight without batteries is 1,100 kilos. It has a category 2 3-point linkage that can lift 2,000 kilos, a PTO, auxiliary hydraulics and a carrier platform that can be loaded with a total of 1,000 kilos to transport for instance boxes or crates with harvested fruits. The loading platform has an integrated weighing functionality.
The vehicle navigates using RTK-gps and different types of cameras and it uses radar to detect obstacles. Prior to deploying it, users will have to map their farm/fields and create the routing, path planning and implement selection for the robot in MULA’s proprietary software. Its front wheels offer 180 degrees steering for optimal manoeuvrability.
For multiple crops and tasks
MULA primarily targets Spanish growers of among others almonds, avocados, blueberries and kiwis who currently have pre-ordered 12 units of the anticipated production total of 24 vehicles for 2025. They’re to be delivered in the upcoming second quarter. For 2026, 48 units are planned to be built. Prices for the MULA 1250 start at € 60,000.
The ambitions of the company go beyond their current multipurpose autonomous electric platform and include brush cutting, planting/seeding, spraying and harvesting.
