Iván Hernández Dalas: RBR50 Spotlight: Kodama Systems uses robotics to prevent wildfires

kodama autonomous tractor with rbr50 logo.


Organization: Kodama Systems
Country: U.S.
Website: https://kodama.ai/
Year Founded: 2021
Number of Employees: 1-10
Innovation Class: Application & Market

In 2022, wildfires burned over 7.5 million acres of land in the U.S., according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. It’s a pressing issue, and it will only get worse as the climate becomes hotter and drier.

rbr50 banner logo.While there are some robots deployed to fight these deadly wildfires, few are working to prevent them. This is where Kodama Systems comes in.

Historically, forests in the U.S. were less dense than they are today. Overstocked forests have resulted in greater competition for resources among plant life in these areas, making them more vulnerable to drought and other stressors.

Scientific consensus also suggests that these overgrown forests are a key contributor to the current wildfire crisis. An abundance of smaller, often weaker, trees is ready to burn.

To combat this overgrowth, government agencies have been increasingly investing in initiatives aimed at thinning out these forests. This is a labor-intensive task, as it requires a number of heavy machines to drive into the forest, cut down the trees, and then haul them out so they can be cut to size and delivered to sawmills to be processed.

Sonora, Calif.-based Kodama Systems is working to add autonomy to the process. It creates teleoperation and autonomy kits for the heavy machinery at work. The team started with the skidder, a piece of equipment used to haul cut-down trees out of the forest.

“Our mission is to restore forests for future generations, help promote forest health for the long term, and accelerate the work that the state and federal agencies are calling for right now,” James Sedlak, co-lead for operations and communications at Kodama, told The Robot Report.

In 2023, the company deployed its teleoperation platform on a small forest-thinning project in the Stanislaus National Forest. During this project, the company’s skidder autonomously dragged bundles of trees along skid trails to the project landing.


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RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024

Organization Innovation
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Amazon Robotics Amazon strengthens portfolio with heavy-duty AGV
Ambi Robotics AmbiSort uses real-world data to improve picking
Apptronik Apollo humanoid features bespoke linear actuators
Boston Dynamics Atlas shows off unique skills for humanoid
Brightpick Autopicker applies mobile manipulation, AI to warehouses
Capra Robotics Hircus AMR bridges gap between indoor, outdoor logistics
Dexterity Dexterity stacks robotics and AI for truck loading
Disney Disney brings beloved characters to life through robotics
Doosan App-like Dart-Suite eases cobot programming
Electric Sheep Vertical integration positions landscaping startup for success
Exotec Skypod ASRS scales to serve automotive supplier
FANUC FANUC ships one-millionth industrial robot
Figure Startup builds working humanoid within one year
Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics evoBot features unique mobile manipulator design
Gardarika Tres Develops de-mining robot for Ukraine
Geek+ Upgrades PopPick goods-to-person system
Glidance Provides independence to visually impaired individuals
Harvard University Exoskeleton improves walking for people with Parkinson’s disease
ifm efector Obstacle Detection System simplifies mobile robot development
igus ReBeL cobot gets low-cost, human-like hand
Instock Instock turns fulfillment processes upside down with ASRS
Kodama Systems Startup uses robotics to prevent wildfires
Kodiak Robotics Autonomous pickup truck to enhance U.S. military operations
KUKA Robotic arm leader doubles down on mobile robots for logistics
Locus Robotics Mobile robot leader surpasses 2 billion picks
MassRobotics Accelerator Equity-free accelerator positions startups for success
Mecademic MCS500 SCARA robot accelerates micro-automation
MIT Robotic ventricle advances understanding of heart disease
Mujin TruckBot accelerates automated truck unloading
Mushiny Intelligent 3D sorter ramps up throughput, flexibility
NASA MOXIE completes historic oxygen-making mission on Mars
Neya Systems Development of cybersecurity standards harden AGVs
NVIDIA Nova Carter gives mobile robots all-around sight
Olive Robotics EdgeROS eases robotics development process
OpenAI LLMs enable embedded AI to flourish
Opteran Applies insect intelligence to mobile robot navigation
Renovate Robotics Rufus robot automates installation of roof shingles
Robel Automates railway repairs to overcome labor shortage
Robust AI Carter AMR joins DHL's impressive robotics portfolio
Rockwell Automation Adds OTTO Motors mobile robots to manufacturing lineup
Sereact PickGPT harnesses power of generative AI for robotics
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Universal Robots Cobot leader strengthens lineup with UR30

The post RBR50 Spotlight: Kodama Systems uses robotics to prevent wildfires appeared first on The Robot Report.



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