BRISBANE, Australia, Feb. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- through Global Mind Australia (GMAA), AgriS (Thanh Thanh Cong – Bien Hoa Joint Stock Company, HOSE: SBT) and Farmacist, the largest independent agronomic service provider and advisory firm in the Australian sugar industry, have officially signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement, marking a significant milestone in advancing science-led, sustainable, and globally aligned agricultural practices.
The signing ceremony, held at the Trade and Investment Queensland Office in Brisbane, underscored the shared commitment of both parties to promote knowledge transfer, agronomic excellence, and the commercialization of advanced agricultural solutions, with a strong focus on soil health, sustainability, and farmer-centric innovation.
The event was attended by high-ranking officials from the Queensland Government, including the Honourable Ros Bates MP, Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment, and Training. Also in attendance were representatives from the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). AgriS was represented by the Chairlady, Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My (Omi Dang), alongside senior leadership from AgriS, GMAA, GMG and the Board of Directors of Farmacist.
Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Honourable Ros Bates MP, said the partnership would deliver practical benefits for Queensland's regions, supporting jobs, exports, and long-term growth in the agriculture sector.
"This agreement backs Queensland's agtech and agribusinesses to grow, create jobs and reach new markets," Minister Bates said.
Minister Bates shared: "It builds on our strengths in agriculture and innovation and supports regional communities by turning opportunity into real economic outcomes."
Farmacist plays catalytic role as the Center of Excellence within the AgriS's ecosystem
Under the cooperation framework, Farmacist will play a central and catalytic role as the Center of Excellence (CoE) within the AgriS ecosystem. As the core hub for agronomic expertise, Farmacist will lead the standardization, validation, and scaling of best-in-class agricultural practices across multiple crops and geographies.
This role will form the foundation for AgriS's R&D, Agronomy & Extension (RD&AE) Hub, as well as a network of demo farms and applied research platforms in Australia and Southeast Asia. Through this structure, proven agronomic knowledge will be systematically translated into scalable, field-ready practices that can be replicated across diverse farming systems.
Commercializing high tech agricultural solutions in scales
The partnership is designed to convert agronomic expertise and technology into integrated, commercially viable solutions. By integrating Farmacist's proprietary data, methodologies, and advisory platforms into AgriOS, AgriS's digital operating system, the two parties will jointly develop end-to-end service models combining agronomic advisory, agricultural inputs, mechanization, and precision farming solutions. These offerings will be delivered through modern service-based business models such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Farming-as-a-Service (FaaS), and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS), enabling farmers and agribusinesses to make informed, data-driven decisions at scale.
This approach reflects a shift from fragmented interventions toward integrated solution ecosystems that generate measurable productivity, sustainability, and economic outcomes.
Strengthening AgriS's long term vision
The strategic partnership builds on a multi-year collaboration that began in 2022, when AgriS and Farmacist jointly conducted strategic assessments and agronomic advisory projects across key agricultural regions in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Australia. These initiatives subsequently progressed into large-scale field implementation, including the establishment of demo farms applying internationally recognized best management practices and validating data-driven, sustainable farming models.
The proven outcomes of this journey have laid a solid foundation for elevating the relationship from project-based collaboration to a long-term strategic partnership.
Leveraging Farmacist's strong track record, including its extensive engagement with government-funded programs and large institutional clients in Australia, the cooperation further reinforces AgriS's positioning as a regional pioneer in precision, sustainable, and high-tech agriculture, aligned with global standards and best practices.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My, Chairlady of AgriS, shared: "AgriS is transforming from a traditional agricultural enterprise into a platform-based organization that applies an ecosystem-led approach across the entire value chain, guided by its Five-Stakeholder model linking the Government, Farmers, Scientists, Enterprises, and Financial Institutions in Vietnam and globally".
"This strategic investment in Farmacist that is an Australia's leading agronomy consultancy, AgriS is advancing its long-term vision to build a science- and data-driven agricultural platform. This platform aims to standardize agronomic knowledge, commercialize technology into practical solutions, and scale AgTech–FoodTech capabilities from Australia into Southeast Asia, creating sustainable value across the entire agricultural ecosystem, from farmers to national and regional food security matters".
Mr. Jason Dowie, Director of Farmacist, shared: "Today marks more than a transaction. It marks the coming together of shared values, shared capability, and a shared global ambition going forward."
"This is a significant occasion, not only for Farmacist and AgriS, but for what it represents in terms of Queensland expertise connecting with global agricultural opportunity, particularly with our Asian neighbours. As such, we would like to sincerely thank Trade and Investment Queensland for hosting this exciting event", Mr. Dowie shared.
Farmacist, founded in Australia in 2010, is recognized for its integrated approach combining independent agronomy, applied research, and commercial implementation, serving hundreds of farms across multiple regions. Its strong emphasis on science-based recommendations and sustainability aligns closely with AgriS's long-term vision of building circular, high-value agricultural ecosystems.
About AgriS
About Global Mind Australia
Global Mind Australia (GMAA) is the international investment and partnership arm of AgriS (Thanh Thanh Cong – Bien Hoa Joint Stock Company, HOSE: SBT) in Australia. GMAA focuses on agriculture, food, and sustainability-driven opportunities, fostering cross-border collaboration, technology transfer, and market expansion between Australia, Vietnam, and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
About Farmacist
Founded in 2010, Farmacist began providing agronomy services in the Mackay and Burdekin regions of Australia. Guided by a strong commitment to farmers' needs, high-quality service and support, and the application of advanced technology and research-driven solutions, Farmacist has grown into a team of more than 40 qualified agronomists and professionals.
Today, Farmacist delivers practical and precise agronomy services to farmers and agribusinesses across a wide geographic footprint, from Northern New South Wales to Far North Queensland. The company is now recognized as the largest independent agronomic service provider to the Australian sugar industry, supporting sustainable productivity and long-term soil health through science-based, field-proven practices.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Global Mind Australia and Farmacist enter strategic partnership to advance precision, sustainable agriculture from Australia to ASEAN
Global Mind Australia and Farmacist enter strategic partnership to advance precision, sustainable agriculture from Australia to ASEAN
|
Announced alongside M Series Smart Assist Module launch on Kickstarter
NEW YORK, April 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yarbo, a company focused on intelligent yard robotics, today announced the Yarbo Open Platform, a long-term initiative currently under development and planned for release in early 2027. Designed to expand Yarbo's modular yard robot system across both software and hardware, the platform is intended to support deeper customization, broader smart home connectivity, and new forms of user and developer-driven functionality over time. The announcement coincides with the launch of the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The Open Platform is not available today. Instead, it reflects Yarbo's roadmap for how its ecosystem may evolve over time, including a three-layer software architecture built around an Open API, SDK, and no-code Automation Editor, as well as a hardware expansion framework designed to support future user-built and developer-built modules.
A Structured Approach to Software Integration and Automation
The Yarbo Open Platform is structured to accommodate different levels of technical expertise, from everyday users to experienced developers. It is designed to provide multiple entry points into the Yarbo ecosystem, enabling both software-driven automation and hardware-level expansion.
On the software side, the platform consists of three layers:
- Yarbo Open API — intended to enable connectivity between Yarbo devices and external platforms, allowing them to participate in broader home automation scenarios.
- Yarbo SDK — a set of development tools, including code libraries and documentation, designed for developers building custom features or integrations.
- Yarbo Automation Editor — a visual, drag-and-drop interface within the Yarbo app that allows users to create automation workflows without writing code.
Together, these components are intended to make automation accessible to a wide range of users, while also supporting more advanced development use cases.
The platform is also designed to support compatibility with widely used smart home ecosystems, including Home Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, enabling users to incorporate Yarbo into existing connected home setups.
Extending Capability Through Hardware
In addition to software capabilities, the Open Platform introduces a hardware expansion approach designed to extend Yarbo's functionality beyond its existing modules.
At the center of this is CoreBridge, a standardized hardware interface currently in development that is intended to provide access to Yarbo's mechanical mounting points, power system, and data connections. It is designed to support third-party development and user-built extensions, allowing new types of functionality beyond pre-defined modules.
One example of this extensibility is an electromagnet-based module, which can be attached via CoreBridge to enable Yarbo to latch onto and move objects such as garbage bins. In a potential use scenario, this could enable automated movement of a bin to the curb on collection day and its return afterward.
This combination of software and hardware openness reflects an effort to expand the role of outdoor robotics beyond fixed-function devices.
Smart Assist Module Launch on Kickstarter
Alongside the Open Platform announcement, Yarbo is launching the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The module introduces two primary features designed to expand how users interact with their yard robot in everyday use:
- Follow Me Mode — enabling Yarbo to move alongside the user while carrying tools or materials, reducing the need for manual transport during yard work.
- Patrol Mode — allowing Yarbo to move along customizable routes around the property, with features such as remote live view, app-based alerts, and optional audio notifications via its built-in speaker, providing an added layer of awareness and convenience for users managing outdoor spaces.
The Smart Assist Module is positioned as part of Yarbo's broader effort to extend the practical use cases of its modular system.
Looking Ahead
The Yarbo Open Platform is planned for release in early 2027 and is being developed to support both the Y Series and M Series. By introducing a framework that combines software integration, developer tools, and hardware extensibility, Yarbo aims to enable a broader range of applications while allowing users to define how the system evolves over time.
Further details will be shared as development progresses.
About Yarbo
Yarbo is defining a new category of outdoor robotics with its Modular Yard Robot. Known for its automated snow blower robots, Yarbo introduced a modular system designed for year-round use. Powered by a single intelligent core unit, the system supports interchangeable modules for mowing, leaf blowing, snow clearing, and more—creating a more efficient approach to outdoor maintenance for homeowners.
Announced alongside M Series Smart Assist Module launch on Kickstarter
NEW YORK, April 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Yarbo, a company focused on intelligent yard robotics, today announced the Yarbo Open Platform, a long-term initiative currently under development and planned for release in early 2027. Designed to expand Yarbo's modular yard robot system across both software and hardware, the platform is intended to support deeper customization, broader smart home connectivity, and new forms of user and developer-driven functionality over time. The announcement coincides with the launch of the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The Open Platform is not available today. Instead, it reflects Yarbo's roadmap for how its ecosystem may evolve over time, including a three-layer software architecture built around an Open API, SDK, and no-code Automation Editor, as well as a hardware expansion framework designed to support future user-built and developer-built modules.
A Structured Approach to Software Integration and Automation
The Yarbo Open Platform is structured to accommodate different levels of technical expertise, from everyday users to experienced developers. It is designed to provide multiple entry points into the Yarbo ecosystem, enabling both software-driven automation and hardware-level expansion.
On the software side, the platform consists of three layers:
- Yarbo Open API — intended to enable connectivity between Yarbo devices and external platforms, allowing them to participate in broader home automation scenarios.
- Yarbo SDK — a set of development tools, including code libraries and documentation, designed for developers building custom features or integrations.
- Yarbo Automation Editor — a visual, drag-and-drop interface within the Yarbo app that allows users to create automation workflows without writing code.
Together, these components are intended to make automation accessible to a wide range of users, while also supporting more advanced development use cases.
The platform is also designed to support compatibility with widely used smart home ecosystems, including Home Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa, enabling users to incorporate Yarbo into existing connected home setups.
Extending Capability Through Hardware
In addition to software capabilities, the Open Platform introduces a hardware expansion approach designed to extend Yarbo's functionality beyond its existing modules.
At the center of this is CoreBridge, a standardized hardware interface currently in development that is intended to provide access to Yarbo's mechanical mounting points, power system, and data connections. It is designed to support third-party development and user-built extensions, allowing new types of functionality beyond pre-defined modules.
One example of this extensibility is an electromagnet-based module, which can be attached via CoreBridge to enable Yarbo to latch onto and move objects such as garbage bins. In a potential use scenario, this could enable automated movement of a bin to the curb on collection day and its return afterward.
This combination of software and hardware openness reflects an effort to expand the role of outdoor robotics beyond fixed-function devices.
Smart Assist Module Launch on Kickstarter
Alongside the Open Platform announcement, Yarbo is launching the Smart Assist Module (SAM) for the M Series on Kickstarter.
The module introduces two primary features designed to expand how users interact with their yard robot in everyday use:
- Follow Me Mode — enabling Yarbo to move alongside the user while carrying tools or materials, reducing the need for manual transport during yard work.
- Patrol Mode — allowing Yarbo to move along customizable routes around the property, with features such as remote live view, app-based alerts, and optional audio notifications via its built-in speaker, providing an added layer of awareness and convenience for users managing outdoor spaces.
The Smart Assist Module is positioned as part of Yarbo's broader effort to extend the practical use cases of its modular system.
Looking Ahead
The Yarbo Open Platform is planned for release in early 2027 and is being developed to support both the Y Series and M Series. By introducing a framework that combines software integration, developer tools, and hardware extensibility, Yarbo aims to enable a broader range of applications while allowing users to define how the system evolves over time.
Further details will be shared as development progresses.
About Yarbo
Yarbo is defining a new category of outdoor robotics with its Modular Yard Robot. Known for its automated snow blower robots, Yarbo introduced a modular system designed for year-round use. Powered by a single intelligent core unit, the system supports interchangeable modules for mowing, leaf blowing, snow clearing, and more—creating a more efficient approach to outdoor maintenance for homeowners.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Yarbo Introduces Open Platform Strategy, Opening Its Robotics System to Developers and Smart Home Ecosystems
Yarbo Introduces Open Platform Strategy, Opening Its Robotics System to Developers and Smart Home Ecosystems
