Originally published in 2018. Updated July 2025 for context.
Innovative ideas in agriculture often begin with one simple truth: time is a farmer’s most valuable resource. Ukko Robotics, a Manitoba-based startup, took that idea and built a game-changing product called ROVA, a fully autonomous, solar-powered poultry barn that’s changing how small and large producers manage livestock.
At the heart of this innovation is the North Forge FabLab™, where Ukko Robotics developed, tested, and refined their modular system to support independent, pasture-based farming using clean technology and automation.
From Manitoba Fields to Modular Farming
Co-founders Daniel Badiou and Katrina Jean-Laflamme launched Ukko Robotics with a goal to remove the physical and time barriers that keep farmers tied to intensive, daily chores. Badiou, who grew up on a farm in Notre Dame de Lourdes, saw firsthand the toll of 24/7 farm life and began asking, “How can we automate this?”
Their answer: ROVA, an autonomous poultry system that maintains heat, grass, litter, and water, with GPS-guided mobility and remote 360-degree monitoring. It even includes a five-day battery reserve and mobile alerts for real-time updates.
“All of the automated features ROVA offers are designed to do exactly what farmers have been needing for generations—add more hours to the day,” said Badiou.
ROVA makes the farm-to-table lifestyle more accessible to everyone, with units designed for everything from backyard flocks to commercial-scale operations. Its compact, clean design and solar-powered engine also make it one of the most environmentally friendly livestock systems available today.
Building with North Forge FabLab™
Ukko Robotics turned to North Forge FabLab™ to bring ROVA to life. As one of North America’s largest fabrication labs, the FabLab provided access to prototyping tools, engineering mentorship, and support from an entrepreneurial community that understands what it takes to scale a business.
“From a strategic standpoint, North Forge has played a big part in taking ROVA from concept to reality,” said Badiou. “Along the way we’ve needed guidance with grants, legal, and finance, and North Forge has always been able to point us in the right direction.”
The partnership culminated in a tech launch at North Forge in 2018, where ROVA was unveiled to members and community partners. Attendees were treated to a field demonstration, talks from the founders, and a first-hand look at the technology.
Future-Focused Farming
Ukko Robotics is now working on its fifth prototype, with plans to take ROVA commercial and expand internationally. But poultry is only the beginning.
“We started with poultry because it’s the most complicated from an automation standpoint,” said Badiou. “Once ROVA is finalized, the plan is to adapt this technology to other livestock systems. Our long-term vision is a complete line of automated farm products.”
As Ukko Robotics moves forward, they remain grounded in the values that built ROVA—efficiency, sustainability, and innovation rooted in real-world experience.
Ready to take your agtech innovation to the next level? Join the North Forge community and gain access to Canada’s largest non-profit fabrication lab, expert mentorship, and the tools you need to bring your ideas to life. Visit northforge.ca/fablab to get started.
