The growing team behind Robotics Plus is comprised of a diverse group of educated, experienced and motivated people.
Dr Alistair Scarfe (PhD, BE Hons)
CTO, Director, Owner
Dr Alistair Scarfe (PhD, BE) earned a PhD in Industrial Automation after completing a Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in Mechatronics with First Class Honours, both from Massey University. Alistair has eight years’ experience developing horticultural robotics and his work was validated during the PhD assessment process. The prototype autonomous kiwifruit harvester was the subject matter of his thesis. As RPL’s Chief Technical Officer and company director, Alistair is responsible for overseeing the execution of all RPL’s projects. He was a finalist for NZ Hi-Tech Young Achiever of the Year 2012 and won the Tauranga 2011 Rocket Young Innovator of the Year (under 40). Alistair is the first scholar to receive the Dick and Mary Earle Scholarship in Technology for three consecutive years and was awarded a ZESPRI Innovation Fellowship.
Steven Saunders
Owner and Board Chairman of RPL and the Plus Group
Owner and Board Chairman of RPL and the Plus Group of Companies (www.plusgroup.co.nz). Steve has over 28 years of experience and expertise in the New Zealand horticulture industry across the following disciplines: growing, management, financial management, innovation, new product to market, postharvest ownership, international experience in the export of horticultural products (including pollen and pollen application systems), project management and JV partnerships. As an active angel investor, has been appointed director of numerous other emerging start-ups and holds key board positions with Priority One, Enterprise Angels, Icehouse and recent Crown appointment to Landcare Research. Steve is also a shareholder and director for Newnham Park Innovation Centre, the home of many award-winning innovation-focused companies.
Dr Matt Glenn (BSc Hons, PhD)
Cheif Executive Officer
Kyle Peterson (BE Hons)
Research & Development Engineer
Florian Roeske (M.Sc., Dipl.-Ing (FH))
Research & Development Engineer
John Howarth (BE Mechatronics)
Research and Development Manager
Luke Dwyer (BE Hons)
Research & Development Engineer
Erin Sims (BE Hons)
Research & Development Engineer
Matthew Sutherland (BE Hons)
Research & Development Engineer
Hamish Carter (BE Hons)
Research & Development Engineer
Akshay Kumar (BE Hons)
Research & Development Engineer
Ben Reyngoud (BE (Hons), PhD)
Senior Research & Development Engineer
Dr Peyman Sabouri (PhD, MSc, BSc)
Research & Development Engineer
Matt Demler (BCS)
Senior Software Engineer
David de Graaf (BE Mechatronics)
Production Manager
Alex Mosley
Project Engineer
Diogo Menezes
Project Engineer
Dean Strydom
Project Engineer
Carl Menary (BDes Hons)
Senior Product Developer
William Lockwood-Geck (BDes Hons)
Industrial Designer
Nick Otto
Engineering Technician
Karen Clarke
Project Manager
Michael Redstall
Master Candidate
Daniel Dredge (BE Hons)
PhD Candidate
Canaan Ting
Master Candidate
Matthew Seabright (BE Hons)
PhD Candidate
Jaron Lindsay
Business Analysis Manager
Rajat Chawla
Financial Accountant
Cat Holdgate
Office Manager
The growing team behind Robotics Plus is comprised of a diverse group of educated, experienced and motivated people.
Dr Alistair Scarfe (PhD, BE Hons)
CTO, Director, Owner
Dr Alistair Scarfe (PhD, BE) earned a PhD in Industrial Automation after completing a Bachelor of Engineering, majoring in Mechatronics with First Class Honours, both from Massey University. Alistair has eight years’ experience developing horticultural robotics and his work was validated during the PhD assessment process. The prototype autonomous kiwifruit harvester was the subject matter of his thesis. As RPL’s Chief Technical Officer and company director, Alistair is responsible for overseeing the execution of all RPL’s projects. He was a finalist for NZ Hi-Tech Young Achiever of the Year 2012 and won the Tauranga 2011 Rocket Young Innovator of the Year (under 40). Alistair is the first scholar to receive the Dick and Mary Earle Scholarship in Technology for three consecutive years and was awarded a ZESPRI Innovation Fellowship.
Steven Saunders
Owner and Board Chairman of RPL and the Plus Group
Owner and Board Chairman of RPL and the Plus Group of Companies (www.plusgroup.co.nz). Steve has over 28 years of experience and expertise in the New Zealand horticulture industry across the following disciplines: growing, management, financial management, innovation, new product to market, postharvest ownership, international experience in the export of horticultural products (including pollen and pollen application systems), project management and JV partnerships. As an active angel investor, has been appointed director of numerous other emerging start-ups and holds key board positions with Priority One, Enterprise Angels, Icehouse and recent Crown appointment to Landcare Research. Steve is also a shareholder and director for Newnham Park Innovation Centre, the home of many award-winning innovation-focused companies.
