• Mechanical Orchard, a startup led by ex-Pivotal CEO Rob Mee, has secured a $50 million funding round led by Alphabet's GV (formerly Google Ventures). The company is developing an automated system for harvesting and processing fruit, aiming to address labor shortages and inefficiencies in the agricultural industry. Mechanical Orchard's technology combines robotics, computer vision, and machine learning to automate the fruit harvesting process, potentially improving productivity and reducing waste.

• The funding will be used by Mechanical Orchard to further develop its technology, expand its team, and scale its operations. The company's automated system is designed to work with a variety of fruit crops, including apples, oranges, and berries, making it a versatile solution for the agricultural sector. The investment from GV, a prominent venture capital firm, underscores the potential of Mechanical Orchard's technology to disrupt traditional farming practices and address the challenges faced by the industry.

• Mechanical Orchard's co-founder and CEO, Rob Mee, has a background in enterprise software, having previously served as the CEO of Pivotal, a cloud computing and software development company. Mee's experience in building and scaling technology companies is expected to be valuable in guiding Mechanical Orchard's growth and adoption of its automated fruit harvesting system. The company's technology aims to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and enhance the overall sustainability of the agricultural industry.