ROWAIN, a leading nurtured startup in the Cheonan-Asan Innopolis of Chungnam, South Korea(with the Korea Automotive Technology Institute as the core technology institution) and led by robotics Ph.D. Lee Kyung-ha, is introducing a new paradigm in agriculture with its INTELLI-FARM system. This innovative vertical farming approach utilizes robotic automation to address both agricultural challenges and climate change concerns.

The core of INTELLI-FARM lies in its unique structure that separates working and cultivation areas, designed to optimize both human and robotic operations. The system incorporates three types of robots: one for planting in cultivation trays, another for stacking these trays, and a third for transporting the Cultivation Towers.

Through INTELLI-FARM, ROWAIN aims to address rural labor shortages, stabilize agricultural supply and demand, and contribute to environmental conservation. The system increases production per unit area compared to conventional vertical farms, while reducing the required cultivation space and labor. By enabling farm operations near urban areas, it potentially reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation. The system's efficiency in land use may also contribute to the preservation of green spaces.

Currently supported by the LG Social Campus program, ROWAIN is pursuing collaboration with LG Electronics. The company plans to secure Pre-Series A investment and launch a full-scale vertical farm in the first half of 2025 for large-scale demonstration. Additionally, ROWAIN is exploring expansion into cosmetic and medicinal crop cultivation to meet market demands.

CEO Lee stated, "The smartification of agriculture is an irreversible trend of our times. Through INTELLI-FARM, we aim to overcome the current limitations of vertical farming and open new possibilities in agriculture.“