Research at Olivabot
We’re building a new generation of agricultural robots—designed to climb, harvest, and protect traditional olive groves. Rooted in deep tech and inspired by nature, our research fuels Olivabot’s mission to make olive farming more efficient, sustainable, and autonomous.
🌳 Olivabot Prototypes
Climbing Robots Inspired by Nature
Our prototypes are the building blocks of Olivabot—experimental machines designed to test new ways of climbing, harvesting, and sensing. From squirrel-inspired motion to plant-based materials and AI-driven vision, each prototype explores a different aspect of how robots can move through trees with precision and care.
Developed in our lab at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam’s Demonstrator Lab, these early-stage builds are where bold ideas meet real-world testing. What begins as rapid prototyping becomes core functionality in the field—helping Olivabot harvest better, smarter, and more sustainably.
🎓 Academic Research
Collaborating with the Next Generation of Mechanical Engineers and AI Researchers
Through partnerships with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and the University of Twente, we collaborate with Bachelor’s and Master’s students on applied research projects that directly contribute to Olivabot. From AI for selective harvesting to novel climbing mechanisms, these thesis projects are shaping the future of agricultural robotics—one idea at a time.
🍄 MycoBot
Environmental Sensing Meets Soil Regeneration
MycoBot is a research spin-off project focused on developing autonomous robots that detect polluted soil and strategically deploy fungi for bioremediation. It shares the same core technology stack as Olivabot—AI-driven perception, terrain-aware navigation, and real-time environmental sensing—applied to a new challenge: restoring soil health.
This project is part of MycoSense, a collaborative R&D initiative with Mycofarming, backed by a MIT R&D subsidy from the Province of North Holland. While designed for broader agricultural use, MycoBot helps us push the limits of robotic sensing and ecological intelligence—advancing capabilities that can also enhance Olivabot’s future role in land stewardship.
💸 Support the Future of Regenerative Robotics
Interested in funding bold, nature-inspired tech with real-world impact?
At Olivabot, we’re developing advanced robotics to transform traditional agriculture—starting with olive harvesting. With the right support, we can move faster, scale our research, and bring these innovations into the field where they’re urgently needed.
Whether you’re an angel investor, VC, or simply someone who believes in backing good ideas, we’d love to connect.
→ Get in Touch
Let’s accelerate sustainable agriculture together.