For someone like Milo Kusold, a software engineer with a passion for all things agriculture — from goat herding to foraging mushrooms — finding their next role at Carbon Robotics felt like the perfect choice.
Agriculture has historically held a top spot among industries that have a true impact on humankind and the environment we live in. There is nothing more practical than harvesting the literal fruits of hard labor, and agriculture remains a crucial backbone of communities around the world.
At Carbon Robotics, a mission to implement modern AI technologies into everyday life has born fruits such as an automated precision weeding laser that saves farmers from excess labor and improves overall productivity.
Working from a converted garage just a short walk from Seattle’s Space Needle, Kusold and their team at Carbon Robotics, like the agricultural workers their creations serve, get their hands dirty every day to make a tangible difference in the world.
“Whether tinkering, fixing, talking to farmers or innovating in the field, we roll up our sleeves and get it done,” said Kusold.
Purpose-driven organizations like Carbon Robotics have the benefit of motivating employees and potential customers alike. Research from Gallup shows that organizations with a clear mission that employees truly care about tend to attract new customers and top talent at greater numbers than their competitors. Whether a job seeker is looking for a company with a strong mission, a role in agriculture technology or the daily opportunity to build dynamic new robotics, companies like Carbon Robotics are likely to be at the top of the list.
Built In Seattle sat down with Kusold to learn more about what drew them to Carbon Robotics — and why the mission and culture keep them inspired to work every day.
Carbon Robotics is an agricultural technology company that builds new agricultural tools — like an AI-powered weed-eliminating laser device — to empower farmers to operate more efficiently.
What first attracted you to Carbon Robotics? When did you know it was the right place for you and your career?
Before joining Carbon Robotics, I took a year-long sabbatical to travel across America, working on farms with my partner. Agriculture has always been a passion: we’ve grown wheat, created homegrown soy sauce, cultivated mushrooms and looked after goat herds.
When we returned to Seattle, I knew I wanted to combine my tech skills with my love for agriculture. Carbon was one of the few agriculture technology opportunities in the city, and it happened to make an intrinsically interesting product. The idea of using AI to shoot weeds with lasers, instead of relying on backbreaking labor or herbicides, instantly resonated with me from an environmental, practical and personal standpoint.
My grandparents, who grew up on farms in Eastern Europe, told me stories of driving teams of oxen to plow fields. Sharing the LaserWeeder with them was a special moment where the threads of agriculture connected us across generations. The pride in honoring the past while shaping the future — all while aligning with my values is what helps me know this is the right place for me.
“The pride in honoring the past while shaping the future — all while aligning with my values is what helps me know this is the right place for me.”
Share one exciting challenge or project you are working on right now. What impact will this have on the business?
While I can’t share the specifics of what I’m working on just yet, I can say that we’re tackling some incredibly challenging and exciting projects aimed at bringing even more value to farmers — both through new features for the LaserWeeder and innovations that go beyond it.
At Carbon Robotics, every team member plays a crucial role in shaping our success. With our efficiently sized team, each of us has the opportunity to make a significant impact daily. The work we’re doing now has the potential to enhance the capabilities of our technology, deepen our connection with farmers, and ultimately transform agriculture in ways that align with our mission of sustainability and innovation.
If your company culture was a car, what would it be, and why?
I’m not really a car person. My car just needs to get me where I need to go with as little cost and hassle as possible. So, when I think about what vehicle best represents Carbon, without the capacity to understand the significance of specific car models, my mind jumps to an old-school tractor instead of a car. Why? Because we’re rugged, tenacious and dedicated to getting the vital job of food production done.
Like a tractor, we’re adaptable. You can hitch a variety of implements to the back, and we keep finding new and exciting ways to support farmers with the tools they need to succeed. We’re also practical and efficient, and we don’t pay a lot of attention to unnecessary luxuries. Our headquarters is a gritty converted automotive garage and workshop in the shadow of the Space Needle, but every day our folks are excited to collaborate with others who are dedicated to putting our skills to work in agriculture. Like a tractor, we’re about function, dependability and making an impact in the fields we’re transforming.
