Valencia-based DeepTech startup Voltrac has officially launched its autonomous, electric tractor platform designed for agriculture and frontline logistics, along with €2 million in funding.
The funding saw participation from FoodLabs and Antler.
“We’re not just building a better tractor. We’re creating a new paradigm of autonomous, software-driven ground vehicles,” said Thomas Hubregtsen, CEO of Voltrac.
Founded in 2024 by aerospace engineer Francisco Infante Aguirre and DeepTech operator Thomas Hubregtsen, Voltrac is developing a “first principles redesign“ – an approach that no longer relies on legacy mechanical systems, reimagining the tractor as a modular, software-defined vehicle optimised for simplicity, reliability, and autonomy.
Aguirre grew up in his family’s agricultural implement business, Aguirre Agricola, active in over 25 countries, and later engineered propulsion for eVTOLs and supersonic planes. Thomas previously integrated AI use cases in BMW’s future fleet, built quantum AI systems at Google X, and Co-founded Extropic to build thermodynamic AI systems.
“Farming was built for a world that changes slowly, but with pesticide-resistant pests and unpredictable climates we need to adapt fast. Our tractors learn as they work,” said Francisco, CTO. “Mastering new challenges like resistant weeds or heatwaves quickly.”
The backbone of agriculture is the tractor. While the respective challenges and complexities have increased tremendously, the most used tool still relies on engines with complex drivetrain that is expensive, prone to break down, and emission heavy.
Voltrac’s hardware approach aims to eliminate this drivetrain by using distributed electric propulsion via per-wheel motors. This reportedly cuts 70% of complex tractor components, reducing maintenance complexity and operational costs by about 30% annually.
What Voltrac say sets them apart is its approach to software.
In its first wave, they are automating the driving of the vehicle, as well as providing an open platform that allows 3rd parties to access data and actuators in a sandboxed environment to automate implements and other devices surrounding the tractor.
But Voltrac’s autonomous systems don’t just focus on driving – the true value is unlocked by integrating each tractor in an overarching Reinforment Learning system with a tight feedback loop. This automates the growth of plants to adapt to new crops, climates, and terrains across Europe’s diverse farms.
Voltrac’s agricultural background allows for adaptability to other rough terrains. With the addition of a flatbed, Electric Magnetic Interference (EMI) protection and interceptor drones it is capable of silently lifting 4,000kgs to re-supply front lines, and process AI compute for the full platoon.
“We believe industry-defining solutions emerge where robotics, AI, and critical infrastructure converge. Voltrac isn’t just optimising agriculture and defense logistics. They’re redefining what autonomous vehicles can achieve, setting a new standard for efficiency and adaptability,” said Christophe Maire, Managing Partner at Atlantic Labs & FoodLabs.”
With dual-use in agriculture and defense, Voltrac targets both the €70 billion agri-tractor market and the €30 billion military logistics space. The company is in discussions with NATO departments, and together with partner Aguirre Agricola running joint sales events at agricultural cooperatives.
It is actively testing and on track for first customer deliveries in Q1 2026. In order to scale their manufacturing capabilities, they are planning another financing round later this year.
Source - https://www.eu-startups.com
