The recent recognition of Herculano by the international platform The Mixing Bowl is one of those stories. Featured in the 2024 Crop Robotics Landscape report, Herculano stands out as the only Portuguese company listed among the world’s leading players in agricultural robotics.

This achievement represents much more than a name on a global map. It symbolizes the strength of collaboration between technology, science and the agricultural sector, a combination that is redefining how we think about sustainability, productivity, and the future of food.

At the heart of this success is Modular-E, an advanced agricultural robot developed through a partnership between Herculano and INESC TEC, one of Portugal’s foremost research and technology institutions. The Modular-E was designed to address three of agriculture’s biggest challenges: labor shortages, the need for sustainable farming practices and the constant demand to increase productivity.

It brings together the engineering excellence and industrial expertise of Herculano with the scientific innovation of INESC TEC. The result is a powerful, intelligent machine capable of performing precise, data-driven agricultural operations that help farmers work more efficiently and sustainably. This is not a concept on paper it is a tangible step forward, already presented to the world at World FIRA 2024, the most important international fair for agricultural robotics.

The recognition from The Mixing Bowl also shines a light on a wider trend. In just two years, the global agricultural robotics industry has grown from fewer than 200 companies to more than 330. The fact that Herculano is among them shows that Portugal is not simply observing this evolution but actively contributing to it. It highlights the power of partnerships between industry, research and startups, the kind of ecosystem collaboration that drives true technological transformation.

Herculano’s work represents the best of Portugal’s innovative spirit: practical, ambitious, and globally relevant. It shows that excellence is not confined to the world’s largest tech hubs and that meaningful innovation can come from a place deeply connected to the land and its traditions.

What makes this moment so powerful is what it says about Portugal’s path forward. It reminds us that we have the talent, creativity, and determination to lead in fields that combine technology and sustainability. It is also a call to continue nurturing the collaboration between our companies, universities, and research centers because that is where the next great breakthroughs will be born.

Herculano’s presence in this global report is not just a milestone for the company; it is a milestone for the country. It signals that Portuguese innovation has a voice and a place in shaping the future of agriculture a future that is digital, intelligent, and sustainable. And that is something to be proud of.

Disclaimer: This article has been written with the assistance of AI.