Proposal for Improved Release Management and Beta Testing Protocol

Yarbo Wiki
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We hope this message finds you well. As the official sub-distributor for Yarbo in French-speaking Switzerland, Agribois Sàrl is proud to be part of the Yarbo ecosystem. We would like to begin by emphasising that we genuinely believe in Yarbo’s technology and in the long-term vision of your company. The Yarbo robot represents a truly innovative solution for large-surface management, and we are convinced that it has an outstanding future in the Swiss market.

We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the outstanding work of Taim AG, the General Importer for Switzerland. Taim AG has demonstrated exceptional dedication, professionalism, and technical expertise in establishing and developing the Yarbo brand in Switzerland. Their commitment to quality and customer service sets a benchmark that we, as sub-distributors, strive to match every day.

It is precisely because of this shared commitment to excellence that we feel compelled to raise several concerns that, if left unaddressed, risk undermining the strong foundation that Taim AG and all Swiss partners have worked so hard to build.

  1. Release Management: The Need for Controlled Software Deployment

It has come to our attention that new software fixes and updates are currently deployed to all active Yarbo units simultaneously, without sufficient controlled testing. This approach poses a significant risk to operational stability in the field and can lead to unexpected disruptions for end-users. In the Swiss market, where customers have a very low tolerance for technical failures, a single faulty update can cause lasting reputational damage.

We therefore strongly propose the following measures:

•	Designated Beta Testing Units per Country: Rather than a Europe-wide or global rollout of untested updates, we recommend designating specific, dedicated robots within each individual country to serve as beta testers. This localised approach accounts for regional differences in operating environments, climate, and usage patterns.
•	Active Involvement of Local Importers: The respective national importers — in Switzerland, Taim AG, supported by sub-distributors such as Agribois Sàrl — should be formally integrated into the beta testing process. Our teams possess the technical expertise and real-world field experience to evaluate updates effectively and provide structured, actionable feedback.
•	Gap-Free Reporting System: We urge the introduction of a seamless, gap-free reporting system. This system must ensure that all identified issues are documented, tracked, and verifiably resolved before any update is released to the general fleet. Transparency and traceability are non-negotiable in a quality-driven market such as Switzerland.
  1. Maintenance Processes: Swiss Quality Demands Next-Day Service

Beyond software, we must also address the broader topic of maintenance and after-sales processes. In Switzerland, our customers — whether they are managing large estates, orchards, or vineyards — expect a level of service that matches the premium price point of the Yarbo robot. This means that when a unit requires repair or a replacement part, the expectation is unambiguous: next-day resolution.

Achieving this standard requires a fully integrated logistics chain, including:

•	A local spare parts inventory maintained at the level of the national importer (Taim AG) or regional distributors, covering the most critical components.
•	A clearly defined service-level agreement (SLA) for repair turnaround times, with next-day on-site or depot service as the target standard.
•	A streamlined logistics process that ensures replacement units or parts can be dispatched and delivered within 24 hours across Switzerland.

We are aware that building this infrastructure requires investment and coordination. However, we firmly believe that without it, retaining premium customers in the Swiss market will become increasingly difficult.

  1. Our Commitment — and Our Expectation

We want to be unequivocal: we believe in Yarbo. We believe in the product, we believe in the company, and we believe in the partnership we are building together. Agribois Sàrl has committed significant resources to promoting Yarbo in French-speaking Switzerland, and we intend to continue doing so with full conviction.

At the same time, we must be equally clear about what our customers expect. Swiss Quality is not merely a marketing phrase — it is a lived standard. Our clients expect precision, reliability, and responsiveness. When they invest in a premium autonomous robot, they expect it to perform flawlessly, to be supported swiftly, and to be updated responsibly. Meeting these expectations is not optional; it is the foundation of our business relationship with them.

We therefore respectfully but firmly request that Yarbo Global engage with Taim AG and the Swiss distributor network to develop concrete action plans addressing the points raised above. We would welcome a structured meeting or working session at your earliest convenience to discuss implementation timelines and responsibilities.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. We remain fully committed to the success of Yarbo in Switzerland and look forward to building an even stronger partnership on the basis of shared quality standards.

Sincerely,

Jörg Schüpbach
Agribois Sàrl — Official Yarbo Sub-Distributor, French-speaking Switzerland
Route de l’Estivage 20
1580 Avenches, VD
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 26 677 32 18
E-Mail: yarbo.js@gmail.com

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You should up vote this suggestion.

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@joerg.schuepbach Well written.

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Dear Jörg,

Thank you once again for your detailed feedback and for the continuous efforts from both Taim AG and Agribois Sàrl in supporting the Yarbo brand in Switzerland.

We truly appreciate the professionalism, field experience, and constructive suggestions you shared with us. Your feedback is highly valuable and helps us better understand the expectations and operational standards of the Swiss market.

First of all, we would like to sincerely apologize for the impact caused by some previous firmware releases. We fully understand how important product stability and controlled deployments are, especially in a market where reliability and service quality are critical.

For the upcoming R12 release, we will explore closer collaboration with Taim AG regarding local validation testing before broader deployment. We believe this direction can help reduce potential risks and further improve the release experience for local users.

In addition, we also look forward to discussing potential improvements to local spare-parts support and after-sales coordination together with Taim AG. We believe closer collaboration on parts identification and service coordination could help improve local support efficiency in the future.

Regarding further discussions and implementation planning, please feel free to have the Taim AG representative coordinate directly with the Yarbo sales team. They will help arrange the appropriate internal teams and meeting schedule for further communication.

Thank you again for your trust, support, and valuable partnership. We remain committed to continuously improving both our product and service experience together with our partners in Switzerland.

Best Regards,
Team Yarbo

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If you can provide all the services he’s asking for in Switzerland it seems you should be able to provide them in the USA as well.

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Of which I assume is a much bigger market.

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The difference is there is a large dealer that is providing those services. Yarbo works it directly with them. There isn’t such a dealer that covers the whole USA that I’m aware of that could provide this level of service and support. If there was, I certainly hope they would do the same with them.

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Very interesting dialogue. I am very surprised that they were able to verbalize and get a positive response. Yarbo for me has been in the constant state of beta testing where I am constantly babysitting its activities. I have two Yarbo Ys and will have two Yarbo Ms so that instead of babysitting one for 7 hours I can babysit 4 for 1.5 hours (I presently do that for the two Ys for almost 2.5 hours). What the Switzerland dealer should have been honestly told is that Yarbo is not ready for that type of market yet. As we all know, when it works, it works well but this takes effort by the user. I would not use precision in the same sentence with Yarbo as yet.

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Dear Team Yarbo,

Thank you sincerely for your prompt and constructive reply. We genuinely appreciate the openness with which you have acknowledged the challenges around firmware releases and the willingness to explore closer collaboration with Taim AG on local validation testing. This is exactly the kind of dialogue that builds lasting, trust-based partnerships, and we are encouraged by your response.

We would, however, like to take this opportunity to elaborate further on a few points that we consider essential — not only for the Swiss market, but for Yarbo’s long-term success in any premium market.

The Critical Importance of Support Organisation in the Product Launch Phase

History has shown, time and again, that even the most innovative products can suffer severe and lasting reputational damage if the support infrastructure is not ready when the product reaches the market. A particularly instructive example is Husqvarna’s experience with their robotic mower range: despite having a technically superior product, Husqvarna faced significant image loss in several European markets precisely because their support organisation was not adequately prepared, and because local dealers were not sufficiently integrated into the service and feedback loop. It took years of costly restructuring before customer confidence was fully restored.

Yarbo is currently in exactly this critical product launch phase. The decisions made now — about support structures, dealer integration, and service standards — will define the brand’s reputation for years to come. We urge Yarbo Global to treat this not as an operational detail, but as a strategic priority.

Proactive Outreach to Importers: Yarbo’s Responsibility

We want to be direct on one fundamental point: it is Yarbo’s responsibility to proactively reach out to importers and distributors — not the other way around. Waiting for distributors to raise issues reactively, as we are doing now, is a sign of a support model that is not yet fit for a premium market. Mutual trust and efficient, solution-oriented processes can only be established if Yarbo takes the initiative.

This means regular, structured communication with national importers; proactive sharing of release notes, known issues, and roadmaps; and a genuine interest in the operational realities that importers and their customers face on the ground.

Diagnostic Tools and Fleet Management: An Urgent Requirement

We would like to specifically and urgently call for the accelerated development and rollout of professional diagnostic tools and fleet management capabilities. For a distributor managing multiple Yarbo units across different customer sites, the ability to remotely monitor unit status, diagnose issues, and manage software versions is not a luxury — it is a basic operational necessity.

These tools would also directly support the beta testing framework we proposed, enabling importers to monitor test units systematically and report findings in a structured, traceable manner. We strongly encourage Yarbo to prioritise these capabilities in the product roadmap and to involve importers in their design and testing.

A Fundamental Shift in Perspective: Satisfied Customers Are the Most Efficient Marketing

We would like to close with a thought that we believe deserves serious reflection at the highest level of Yarbo’s organisation: unit sales volume is not the ultimate measure of success. A satisfied customer who recommends Yarbo to five neighbours is worth more than ten units sold to customers who later become vocal critics. In Switzerland — a small, highly networked market where word-of-mouth travels fast and reputations are built over decades — this principle is especially true.

Swiss customers do not merely purchase a product; they invest in a promise of quality, reliability, and service. Swiss Quality is a lived standard, not a marketing slogan. When that promise is kept, the commercial results follow naturally. When it is broken, recovery is slow and expensive.

We are fully committed to making Yarbo a success story in Switzerland. We believe in the product, we believe in the company’s potential, and we believe in the partnership with Taim AG and Yarbo Global. But we also owe it to our customers — and to the brand — to be honest about what is needed to get there.

We look forward to a concrete follow-up meeting with the appropriate teams at Yarbo Global and Taim AG to define actionable next steps.

With kind regards and continued confidence in our shared success,

Jörg Schüpbach
Agribois Sàrl — Official Yarbo Sub-Distributor, French-speaking Switzerland
Route de l’Estivage 20
1580 Avenches, VD
Switzerland
Tel.: +41 79 208 13 14
E-Mail: yarbo.js@gmail.com

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Jorg:

I know that we, Yarbo users, are not your targeted audience, but I really appreciate the feedback you have provided. As a surgeon and accredited investor in new technology, I have tried to explain to Yarbo the importance of maintaining good relationships with the consumers as the company transitions to “prime time” from kickstarter.

I often have neighbors, visitors, and workers (construction, landscaper, delivery trucks, etc) frequently videoing the Yarbo year round on my property. Most of the time, they capture Yarbo at its best. But with frequent loss of GPS, going out of bounds, SB malfunction, loss of traction in snow, weird spins tearing up the lawn, and total loss of power requiring rescue, this is also being captured. It is most frustrating when a job was undertaken with hours to spare has not been completed due to GPS or “mower lifted” delays and the plan has to be halted due to HOA quiet time regulations.

I am excited about the delivery of the two Ms I have purchased but would rather have delivery delayed with resolution of the major flaws/kinks prior to my ownership.