Summary
The Shaanxi Provincial Department of Science and Technology has named Xi'an Muqin Intelligent Technology Co Ltd, a Fengxi New City enterprise, on its 2026 proposed list of new R&D institutions in the province. New R&D institutions are independent legal entities focused on scientific and technological innovation, primarily engaged in research, technological innovation and R&D services, with diversified investment, modern management, market-oriented operating mechanisms and flexible employment. Founded in 2018 by a team of PhDs from Xi'an Jiaotong University, Muqin focuses on green intelligent agriculture.
It settled in Western Cloud Valley in Fengxi New City, Xixian New Area, in 2021 and was selected as a key incubation project of Fengxi New City. The company has been recognised as a high-tech enterprise, a provincial innovative small and medium-sized enterprise, an international science and technology exchange and cooperation base for green intelligent agricultural unmanned vehicles, and a climate-friendly enterprise in Xixian New Area. It has also been included in key science and technology projects of Shaanxi Province and outstanding cases of scientific and technological innovation in Shaanxi Province, and has obtained ISO9001 quality system certification.
Its core product, the M200 agricultural robot, has obtained EU CE certification and China 3C certification. The purely electric-driven robot can perform all-weather autonomous spraying in orchards with human-machine separation, reducing pesticide use by 30%-50%, and can also be used for autonomous mowing and material transport. Its users now cover more than 20 provinces and over 100 regions in China, and the product has been exported to the United States, Mexico, France, South Korea, Australia, Peru and New Zealand, among other countries.
It is Shaanxi Province's first green intelligent agricultural plant protection equipment exported overseas. The company has also established good relationships with partners in Peru, Spain and New Zealand, promoting the application of Chinese smart agriculture technology in countries along the Belt and Road. Fengxi New City said it will continue to increase efforts to cultivate science and technology innovation R&D institutions and improve full-lifecycle services for enterprises.
Commentary
The selection of Xi'an Muqin Intelligent Technology as a Shaanxi new R&D institution, with its M200 agricultural robot already exported to New Zealand, brings new collaboration possibilities for this country's agricultural technology sector. New Zealand agriculture is highly dependent on seasonal labour, and labour shortages have been prominent in recent years. Muqin's purely electric-driven agricultural robot can autonomously spray and mow, reducing reliance on manual labour and meeting the needs of New Zealand orchards and pastures.
From an industry perspective, the global agricultural robot market is growing rapidly, with the scale expected to exceed USD 20 billion by 2030. Local companies such as Robotics Plus are also developing agricultural automation solutions, but at higher prices. Muqin's product has obtained EU CE certification and has verified a 30%-50% reduction in pesticide use in the Chinese market.
If it can establish a localised service network in New Zealand, it is expected to enter small and medium-sized farms with a cost-effectiveness advantage. On the other hand, New Zealand has strict biosecurity and electrical standards for imported agricultural machinery, and Muqin needs to cooperate with local distributors to ensure compliance and establish an after-sales system. For New Zealand SME owners, they can monitor the developments of Muqin's partners in New Zealand and explore agency or joint R&D opportunities, especially in orchard plant protection and pasture mowing scenarios.
Muqin has already established relationships with New Zealand partners. If it sets up a local assembly or technical support centre in the future, it will reduce logistics costs and improve response speed.
Keywords: Shaanxi new R&D institution, Xi'an Muqin Intelligent Technology, Fengxi New City, M200 agricultural robot, green intelligent agriculture, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Belt and Road, agricultural plant protection equipment
Source: Administrative Committee of Fengxi New City, Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province
Disclaimer: This article is compiled from publicly available sources for general information only. The analysis and commentary are editorial opinions. MiDeer Observer does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Readers should seek independent professional advice before relying on this content, or contact us for more information.
