AppHarvest acquires Root AI and its 'game-changing' robotic harvester Kentucky-based agtech and vertical farming company AppHarvest has acquired artificial intelligence firm Root AI and its robotic universal harvester Virgo to maximize its sustainable harvesting methods. AppHarvest is investing $60m, consisting of $10m in cash and the balance in AppHarvest common shares, to acquire Root AI. Root AI co-founder and CEO Josh Lessing will become chief technology officer for AppHarvest and will take the lead in development of the indoor farm's robots and their AI capabilities for the network of indoor farms that the company is building. Root AI's other co-founder, Ryan Knopf, will join AppHarvest as vice president of technology.