Renu Robotics

Renu Robotics, a San Antonio-based company established in 2018, is at the forefront of autonomous vegetation management for the renewable energy sector. The company was founded by Tim Matus and Michael Eyman, who identified a critical need for cost-effective maintenance solutions within the rapidly expanding solar industry. Matus, with a background in mechanical engineering, an MBA, and over two decades of experience leading teams in product development and holding numerous patents, teamed up with Eyman, who brought deep expertise in solar industry operations. Their collaboration was born from a conversation about the significant and rising costs of vegetation management at large-scale solar facilities.

Renu Robotics primarily serves utility-scale solar farms, offering a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model to reduce operational expenditures. The company's flagship product is the Renubot, a fully electric and autonomous tractor designed specifically to mow difficult terrain under and around solar panels. These 1,100-pound robots are engineered to operate day or night, reducing labor costs and eliminating the carbon emissions associated with traditional mowing equipment. The business has expanded its client base to include U.S. Air Force bases and is exploring other markets such as airports. The company generates revenue through contracts with facility owners and operators, projecting $10 million in revenue in 2023, a significant increase from $3 million in 2022.

The Renubot is a sophisticated piece of machinery, low-profile at just 28 inches high to safely navigate under solar arrays. It utilizes a robust software framework with over two million lines of code, incorporating artificial intelligence and machine learning for tasks like energy optimization and self-diagnostics. For precise navigation, the robot employs Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS, providing centimeter-level accuracy. A key component of the system is Mission Control, a centralized data center that monitors the entire fleet of robots, allowing for remote updates, scheduling, and performance tracking via any internet-connected device. To ensure continuous operation, the Renubot autonomously returns to a dedicated "Recharge Pod," which protects it from the elements and replenishes its lithium batteries. This comprehensive system can reportedly cut vegetation management costs for clients by 30-50%.

Keywords: autonomous vegetation management, solar farm maintenance, robotic mowers, renewable energy robotics, RaaS, utility-scale solar, electric tractors, autonomous navigation, mission control software, vegetation control, cleantech, agritech, robotics-as-a-service, solar O&M, ground maintenance robots, precision agriculture, industrial automation, facility management robotics, sustainable energy solutions, autonomous systems