Insights Archives

Agri-tech in action at the UK Agri-Tech Centre: A September roundup

October 17, 2025 No Comments

From industry insights to supporting businesses to develop cutting-edge innovation across AI, robotics and automation and CEA, to thought-provoking conversations at events, we share our top activity of the month to help you stay informed about all things agri-tech. The UK Agri-Tech Centre appoints new CEO Exciting news! The UK Agri-Tech Centre has confirmed the appointment of Steve McLean as its new Chief Executive Officer. After a thorough and competitive recruitment process, Steve will officially step into his new role on 27 January 2026. Currently, heading up Agriculture & Fisheries Sourcing at M&S, Steve brings with him executive experience and a strong background in driving strategic change. Steve McLean to join as CEO Carbon clarity: Aligning assessments with sector needs As the agri-food sector faces growing pressure to cut greenhouse gas emissions and move faster toward net zero, one big question is emerging: are carbon assessment tools truly fit for purpose? In our latest report, developed with Farm Carbon Toolkit, we dive into how these tools can better reflect the needs and ambitions of farmers, growers and supply chain partners. From practical adoption to data accuracy, standardisation, financial support and innovation, we share insights and recommendations for everyone working toward a lower-carbon future. Free download: carbon clarity Can drones help grow better strawberries? A groundbreaking initiative is exploring how robotics and AI can revolutionise the way strawberries are grown. At the heart of the project? Autonomous drones that mimic the airflow needed for pollen transfer — a clever solution to the growing challenges of large-scale natural pollination and it’s one of the first of its kind in the UK. Could this be the future of fruit farming? How is agri-tech helping farmers protect biodiversity? From uncovering elusive species to tracking the subtle changes in ecosystems, today’s agri-tech tools are transforming the agricultural landscape. They’re not just instruments for increasing yields—they’re emerging as vital allies in the critical battle for biodiversity preservation. On World Habitat Day, we delved into four groundbreaking ways that technology is empowering farmers to nurture their land while simultaneously enhancing its natural resilience. Picture smart sensors, real-time data analytics and integrated systems that provide farmers with a deeper understanding of the ecosystems they influence every single day. Think agri-tech is just about efficiency? Discover how it’s helping nature thrive What if we could see beyond what the human eye can detect? Hyperspectral imaging unlocks invisible insights by capturing hundreds of wavelengths, revealing early signs of disease long before symptoms appear. It’s a game-changer for agriculture. The UK Agri-Tech Centre is helping innovators use advanced sensors such as hyperspectral imaging in adapting their solutions. We collaborate with growers to test and refine their solutions, paving the way for agri-tech breakthroughs. Hyperspectral imaging could accelerate your agri-tech solution Find all our stories in the monthly newsletter by the UK Agri-Tech Centre – sign up here.

Hand in Hand for Better Foods: UK Agri-Tech Centre celebrates World Food Day

October 16, 2025 No Comments

The UK Agri-Tech Centre is delighted to support World Food Day (16 October) by highlighting some of the groundbreaking work we do to help build a more sustainable, secure and resilient global food system. This year’s theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future,” reflects the importance of global partnerships driving innovation and sustainability across the agri-food sector. The projects below showcase just a few examples of collaboration in action, combining creativity, science and technology to feed the world more responsibly. A successful agricultural future depends not only on the technologies developed to simplify and enhance farming, but also on how effectively those innovations are embraced and applied. Sustainable methods and forward-thinking adoption remain key to meeting the ever-changing challenges facing our industry. With the support of Innovate UK and in collaboration with multiple partners, the UK Agri-Tech Centre continues to drive progress through projects that help deliver better food and secure the future of farming. Broccoli Harvester This initiative by UPP focuses on making full use of broccoli plants, turning what was once waste into valuable, nutritious ingredients and significantly reducing the environmental footprint of protein production. Working alongside partners, the UK Agri-Tech Centre has helped ensure that we can now utilise 100% of the broccoli plant, rather than just the 30% typically harvested. Thanks to advanced sensor technologies, this approach not only minimises waste but also offers sustainable, hypoallergenic food alternatives while maximising the crop’s total value. By transforming unused biomass into protein-rich ingredients, this project achieves a much lower CO₂ footprint compared with conventional crops such as soy. DeCyst The DeCyst project has reimagined how pest management is approached, especially in controlling Potato Cyst Nematodes (PCN), a persistent threat to UK potato growers. Through collaboration, project collaborators have refined and optimised the use of solanaceous trap crops, which are specifically developed to outsmart PCN infestations. Widespread adoption of DeCyst™ crops has the potential to strengthen the resilience of potato farming and safeguard yields, offering a long-term solution for the UK’s potato industry. Precision Pollination Polybee is exploring how drone technology can revolutionise pollination in food crops, beginning with strawberries. By manipulating airflow, these drones assist with pollination, improving fruit yield, quality and forecasting. This project brings together leading UK berry growers, innovation experts and a Singapore-based partner specialising in drone-assisted crop management. The aim of the project is to integrate this technology into commercial strawberry operations across the UK, ensuring consistent flower pollination and helping mitigate losses in yield and fruit uniformity caused by poor pollination during critical growth stages. Fotenix Fotenix founded the metaverse of agriculture, creating a digital twin of crops using light-based imaging and AI-driven analytics. By capturing virtual models of plants through multi-spectral imaging, Fotenix provides growers with early detection of stress factors like nutrient deficiencies or disease long before they become visible to the human eye. This technology empowers farmers to act quickly, enhancing productivity, profitability and sustainability while seamlessly integrating with existing farm systems. If you’re an SME interested in shaping the future of sustainable food production, we’d love to connect with you. Get in touch at [email protected]

Automating lamb weighing for smarter, welfare-friendly sheep farming

October 14, 2025 No Comments

Weighing lambs is essential for tracking growth and deciding when they’re ready for market, but it’s also one of the most time-consuming and labour-intensive parts of sheep farming. Gathering the flock, running them through the scales and recording the data can take hours, often done every couple of weeks. That’s why the ‘Lamb Monitor’ project is rethinking how weighing is done. Developed in collaboration with David Ritchie Agricultural (Implements) Ltd and the UK Agri-Tech Centre, supported by the National Sheep Association and with support from Defra and the Transforming Food Production (TFP) Challenge Programme (through Innovate UK), the project is putting automation, sensors and smart data systems to work to make lamb weighing simpler and less stressful for both farmers and animals. Automation making a difference for livestock farmers The Lamb Monitor is an automated, in-field solution designed to continuously monitor lamb performance without the need for regular manual weighing. Three prototype designs are being tested: A walk-over weigher that records weights as lambs move naturally through it A creep-feed attractant to encourage voluntary weighing A climb-on platform that uses lambs’ play behaviour to capture data A metered feed creep for a small amount of feed stuffs as an attractant (minerals could be used) Each system is paired with an easy-to-use app that gives farmers real-time insights into growth rates and weight gain. The system also includes a metered creep-feed setup, which ensures fair feed distribution among lambs and reduces the risk of overfeeding. This system results in better data, less stress and more efficient management, all without disrupting the daily routine. Test trial and demonstrate The Lamb Monitor prototypes are currently being deployed on Ritchie’s trial farms and will be on four UK Agri-Tech Centre innovation farms. Farmers continue their usual weighing practices alongside the automated systems, giving researchers the opportunity to compare data accuracy and gather farmer feedback to refine the technology. Importantly, the automated system also integrates with Ritchie’s auto-drafting equipment, meaning lambs can be automatically sorted once weight data reaches the desired threshold, saving even more time and labour. Charlie Brown, Product Development Manager at Ritchie, said: “We aim to bring a level of automation and improved efficiency to the sheep industry with this product. The first prototype was created after farmer-led interactions resulted in us making efficiencies within the industry. Following field trials and farmer feedback, we’re refining the product for our Mk2 trial.” This hands-on, collaborative approach ensures that the final product will be practical, reliable and built around farmers’ needs. From research to real-world application The UK Agri-Tech Centre has played a key role in bringing the project from concept to on-farm testing, helping Ritchie navigate the development process, manage trials across multiple farms and gather real-world validation. Hayley Gerry, Project Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, explained: “This project has enabled us to bridge a gap the industry itself identified, where efficiencies could be made. By using our farmer network, we can test and validate the prototypes in commercial setups and feed that insight back into product development. This helps Ritchie move towards commercialisation with confidence.” By supporting testing and integration directly on working farms, the UK Agri-Tech Centre ensures new technologies can fit seamlessly into existing operations and deliver tangible benefits from day one. Improving livestock production for the sector The benefits of automated lamb monitoring go well beyond saving time. Reducing handling and gathering means less stress for animals, resulting in higher-welfare products. At the same time, better data allows farmers to make more precise management decisions, optimising feeding, improving growth rates and reducing time to market. This also supports sustainability targets. Research from CIEL (2020) showed that improved data capture can cut greenhouse gas emissions in lamb production by up to 68% on hill farms and 37% on lowland farms. With further studies showing that precision livestock technologies can save up to 36% in labour costs (Morgan-Davis et al., 2018), automation is becoming a vital part of building a more efficient, sustainable and resilient sheep sector. The Lamb Monitor project is a clear example of how collaboration between technology developers and farmers can transform traditional practices. By combining advanced sensors, automation and data-driven insight, the project is showing what’s possible when innovation is tested and proven in real farming conditions, along with feedback from farmers for co-development. As the technology continues to evolve, it has the potential to reshape lamb production across the UK, improving welfare, cutting emissions and giving farmers more control over their operations. Want to learn more? To find out more about the Lamb Monitor project or how to get involved with the UK Agri-Tech Centre today at [email protected].

Discover dedicated facilities for digital innovation in livestock

October 13, 2025 No Comments

Livestock farming is changing fast. As the world demands more sustainable and ethical food, there’s real pressure to adapt. But for SMEs and agri-tech innovators, this isn’t just a challenge, it’s your chance to lead meaningful change and drive positive impact across the industry. If you’re looking for specialist facilities to test and validate agri-tech solutions in the livestock sector, you’re in the right place. The Centre for Digital Innovation Applied to Livestock (C-DIAL) addresses key challenges in livestock food production, with a focus on health and welfare management. C-DIAL uses the latest digital tech and scientific know-how to make sure animal welfare and productivity go hand in hand. The team mixes data science, engineering and veterinary smarts to completely rethink how livestock are monitored and managed. A hub for collaboration The Centre’s focus areas are: A farming systems approach to enhancing animal health and welfare Development of practical on-farm monitoring and assessment of livestock Refining husbandry and housing practices to improve health and welfare Application of cutting-edge video and computing techniques for livestock monitoring Validated tools for better welfare With C-DIAL’s digital tools, you can unlock a new level of insight into animal health and behaviour. High-definition cameras, thermal imaging and automatic feeding systems work together to detect the early signs of illness – often before they’re visible to the human eye. This proactive approach means faster, more effective targeted treatment, quicker recovery times and a smarter use of antibiotics. Through digital imaging and remote visualisation, you can keep an eye on animal behaviour and physiology with minimal physical interaction. Less handling means less stress for livestock and because the tech works around the clock, you get tailored management and continuous monitoring of the performance of individual animals. Specialist digital technologies C-DIAL is equipped with a range of state-of-the-art tools and technologies for livestock monitoring including: High-definition networked digital cameras and depth perception cameras for behaviour observations An 18-metre gait analysis laboratory for 3D tracking of animal movement The Farmex BarnReport® system for remote environmental monitoring Thermal and hyperspectral imaging systems adaptable to various sensor types Bluetooth weighing systems and Nedap feeders for individual animal performance tracking Live Innovation at C-DIAL The C-DIAL facilities are being used in the monitoring of bird welfare as part of the Flockwise project, funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK. Led by FAI farms, this project brings together experts from Newcastle University, The Lakes Free Range Egg Company and the UK Agri-Tech Centre to develop a sensor embedded flock management system for chickens that increases productivity and efficiency, whilst improving laying hen health and welfare. This capability is based at the University of Newcastle’s Cockle Park Farm. If your business would like to explore how C-DIAL can help you develop and test agri-tech solutions, connect with us today at [email protected].

Hyperspectral imaging: Advanced agricultural sensing beyond the visible

October 8, 2025 No Comments

Hyperspectral imaging captures images at hundreds of wavelengths, creating a detailed spectral signature of objects and materials. Compared to multispectral imagery, hyperspectral imagery measures energy in narrower and more numerous bands, thus giving much more information about the target. Hyperspectral imaging is especially useful in agri-tech, where its ability to detect minor changes in the light reflected from a target can be used to form a unique spectral profile or fingerprint. This profile can be correlated with phenotypic observations to detect and automate: Species identification Disease/pest detection even before visible symptoms appear Stress detection Productivity indices Non-destructive chemical analysis At the UK Agri-Tech Centre, we offer a comprehensive suite of services designed to take your hyperspectral imaging ideas to a fully commercialised product. Our process spans from understanding system requirements and identifying potential pitfalls, to implementation, unit testing and market demonstration and commercialisation. Test, trial and demonstrate Yingwang Gao, Spectral Imaging Specialist at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “At every stage of this pathway, from initial understanding to final product development, the UK Agri-Tech Centre is dedicated to fostering innovation through intelligent agriculture and growth. By integrating advanced technologies such as spectral imaging with our robust network and expertise, we are driving the future of sustainable agriculture.” Hyperspectral imaging, together with LiDAR, was used in the UAV Tree Health project, an innovative project in partnership with Vertinetik, looking to assess tree ash dieback disease. A species classification model was created to identify ash trees among mixed-species woodland using spectral features. Hyperspectral imaging is especially useful for early disease detection, where visible symptoms are not recognisable via traditional imaging. The UK Agri-Tech Centre supports businesses using advanced sensors such as hyperspectral imaging in adapting their solutions to grow the agricultural sector, helping them work alongside growers to test and trial their products and deliver sustainable food security outcomes. Find out more about hyperspectral imaging and how we can support your business today at [email protected].

Four ways agri-tech supports farmers in protecting biodiversity

October 6, 2025 No Comments

This World Habitat Day, we’re reflecting on the importance of biodiversity and the part it plays in agriculture. To mark the occasion, the UK Agri-Tech Centre is highlighting four ways agri-tech innovations are helping farmers safeguard biodiversity while strengthening resilience on their land. This year’s World Habitat Day focuses on environmental sustainability, urban development and the promotion of inclusive, safe communities, encouraging action that supports better living conditions worldwide. In farming, new monitoring tools and techniques are proving essential for measuring and managing biodiversity. In collaboration with industry experts, the UK Agri-Tech Centre has been advancing technology that supports habitat mapping, species monitoring and collaboration with landowners, strengthening connections with nature and demonstrating the benefits of conservation. Raising awareness about these approaches supports more effective policy and management decisions, particularly in agricultural landscapes. A growing number of biodiversity monitoring techniques now integrate technologies, data collection and analysis to help assess ecosystem health, track species and monitor environmental change across scales. Here are four key methods currently shaping biodiversity monitoring in farming: Remote sensing Remote sensing captures data about landscapes without the need for direct physical presence. Technologies such as LiDAR surveys, drones and satellite imagery provide valuable top-down perspectives, enabling large-scale monitoring of habitats and long-term change. One example is the company Senus, which applies remote sensing to assess and verify natural capital at farm level. Bioacoustics Bioacoustic tools record and analyse the sounds of wildlife, from pollinators and moths to birds, bats and even marine mammals. Increasingly, AI and machine learning are used to interpret these recordings and deliver insights into biodiversity at local scales. Autonomous recorders now make it possible to gather continuous data with minimal human input. Chirrup AI is one company harnessing birdsong to help farmers track biodiversity and measure ecological change. Environmental DNA (eDNA) eDNA sampling uses traces of genetic material found in soil, water or air to reveal which species are present in an area, even those that traditional surveys might overlook, such as microorganisms or fungi. This technique provides valuable indicators of ecosystem health. Nature Metrics and SimplexDNA are two organisations offering eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring and reporting. Citizen science Citizen science engages volunteers in species identification, habitat assessments and population surveys, creating cost-effective and large-scale biodiversity data. It also fosters public awareness and education about conservation. When paired with AI-powered identification tools, data collection becomes more accurate and scalable. Pollenize, which develops solutions to restore pollinators and Merlin, a popular bird-identification app, are strong examples of this approach in action. If you want to learn more about biodiversity, our ongoing projects or have questions, get in touch at [email protected]

Supporting robotics and AI for smarter strawberry pollination

October 2, 2025 No Comments

An innovative project, Precision Pollination for Higher Strawberry Productivity and Quality, is harnessing robotics and AI to transform how strawberries are grown in the UK. At the centre of this work is a collaboration between the UK Agri-Tech Centre, Angus Soft Fruits and Singapore-based technology company Polybee, with funding support from Innovate UK and Singapore funder, Enterprise Singapore. Polybee’s autonomous drone technology, designed to use airflow to aid pollen transfer, is one of the first of its kind to be deployed in the UK. Bringing advanced robotics into commercial farming environments, however, has its challenges, particularly when introducing drones into the daily operations of growers. The UK Agri-Tech Centre has helped to address these challenges. Sarthak Mittal, Lead Product Engineer at Polybee, said: “The UK Agri-Tech Centre team has helped us deploy our technology on farms across the UK. They’ve been on-site with me, helping figure out where to deploy the drones, how to keep them away from daily farm operations, and ensuring safety in all our activities. All of this is new for us at Polybee, and it’s one of our first deployments in the UK. It has been great having them on-site to help us navigate the process.” How robotics and AI are supporting pollination Most UK strawberries are grown in polytunnels or glasshouses, where natural pollination is difficult to achieve at scale. While bumblebees and honeybees are often relied upon, their activity can be limited by weather, temperature or crop growth stage, leading to inconsistent results. Polybee’s drone-based solution applies robotics and AI to this challenge. By using controlled airflow, the drones help distribute pollen more evenly across plants, reducing the risk of misshapen or undersized fruit and boosting the proportion of “Class 1” strawberries, the highest retail grade. But deploying AI-driven drones into working farms is not simply a matter of switching them on. Safe integration, alignment with farm routines and adapting to growers’ needs are essential for success. The UK Agri-Tech Centre has played a central role in making that transition possible. Test, trial and demonstrate The UK Agri-Tech Centre team has supported the project from assessing where and when to deploy drones to managing safety considerations in active farm environments, ensuring that Polybee’s robotic pollinators could be tested and refined in real-world conditions. Katie Clark, Project Manager at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, highlighted the importance of this collaborative approach: “This project represents a critical step towards leveraging innovative drone technology to enhance strawberry yield and fruit quality, addressing the challenges of pollination in protected growing environments. By combining cutting-edge drone solutions with the knowledge of leading growers and agri-tech specialists, we aim to drive meaningful advancements in food security and sustainability for the UK and beyond.” With Angus Soft Fruits providing commercial testing environments, Polybee delivering robotics and AI expertise and the UK Agri-Tech Centre supporting deployment and grower integration, the project represents a model for how innovation can be scaled into agriculture. Lucy Wilkins, Breeding Programme Director at Angus Soft Fruits, said: “Enhancing pollination by integrating advanced technology alongside bumblebees promises significant benefits for our growers, ultimately improving yields of Class 1 and premium-tier strawberries.” This fusion of technology, grower insight and hands-on support is paving the way to grow more resilient and productive food systems for the sector. Driving food security through robotics and AI The Precision Pollination project showcases how the UK Agri-Tech Centre supports robotics and AI businesses along with the UK soft fruit industry, in adapting their solutions to grow the agricultural sector, helping them work alongside growers to test and trial their products and deliver sustainable food security outcomes. To find out more about Polybee, the Precision Pollination project and how we can support your business today, get in touch at [email protected].

Reflections from the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit: Championing farmer-centric innovation in agri-tech

September 26, 2025 No Comments

The UK Agri-Tech Centre joined hundreds of industry leaders at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, Europe’s premier networking event for agri-tech innovation. The summit provided a dynamic platform for meaningful discussions, expert insights and collaborative thinking around the future of food systems. Throughout the two-day event, the UK Agri-Tech Centre engaged with agri-businesses, policymakers, technology leaders and start-ups, discussing the support and collaborative opportunities to drive forward cutting-edge, farmer-centric innovation. The UK Agri-Tech Centre took part in an insightful roundtable discussion about aligning innovation with agri-tech growth. The conversations underscored the importance of collaboration across the ecosystem to accelerate the development and adoption of technologies. On the day the UK Agri-Tech Centre was also joined by Lettus Grow, a UK tech company innovating in glasshouses. Jack Farmer, Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Lettus Grow, said: “It has been a really good event, attendance has been great with coverage of agri-tech start-ups, investors and corporate players in this space; it’s been a really good buzz this year.” Hannah Senior, Interim Chief Executive Officer at the UK Agri-Tech Centre, said: “The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit is a really important annual event in the UK agri-tech scene and brings together the investors, the established agri-tech businesses and entrepreneurs who are active in the agri-tech space. This creates a really exciting opportunity for understanding what trends are emerging and just getting a temperature check on the agri-tech ecosystem. We’ve been having lots of conversations with businesses of all sizes that are very active in the agri-tech world, to understand what’s on their mind. We talked about the opportunity for us, as the UK Agri-Tech Centre, to interact with them and accelerate the commercialisation of their technologies, getting them into the hands of farmers, growers and aquaculturists, in the UK and around the world. It’s been a really engaging couple of days and we are delighted to have been able to take part.” To learn more about the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit and how we can support your business or innovation, get in touch via [email protected].

Carbon clarity: aligning assessments with sector needs

September 23, 2025 No Comments

As pressure mounts for the agri-food sector to understand and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UK’s net zero commitments, there is a growing demand for carbon assessments. However, it is important to note that one size does not fit all when it comes to carbon assessments. Understanding how these tools are being used and how they can evolve to reflect real-world farming systems and industry priorities is crucial. For farmers, carbon assessments are not merely about meeting reporting requirements; they present an opportunity to gain insights that enable more resilient, efficient and sustainable production. How do we navigate the diverse requirements around carbon assessments in the agri-food sector? Seventy two percent of actors within the supply chain identified confidence in the data accuracy of tool providers as the most important outcome of carbon assessments, with independent verification also a key priority, according to a new report published by the UK Agri-Tech Centre in collaboration with Farm Carbon Toolkit. The two organisations collaborated to enhance the understanding of the range of uses to which carbon assessment tools are applied within the UK’s agri-food supply chain. This effort builds upon a previous harmonisation study undertaken by Defra, resulting in an independent, sector-wide review of carbon assessments and their diverse use cases to drive innovation, sector growth and support climate-smart decisions across the supply chain. Crucially, the report titled “Navigating the diverse needs and requirements of carbon assessments in the agri-food sector” also evaluates how well the needs of the sector are being met by the limited number of carbon assessment tools currently available on the market. The study is based on survey responses from more than 40 agri-businesses and ancillary service providers. The findings were used to map current carbon assessment to requirements and a gap analysis was undertaken to identify to what extent the tools meet those requirements. It covers data-driven carbon assessments, the tools and methods used, supporting services received, as well as motivations for and barriers to those assessments. With strategic insights for agri-businesses, farmers and growers and carbon tool providers, the report makes a series of recommendations around practice and adoption, standardisation and data accuracy, financial support and innovation. The report is a resource to shape decisions, investments and innovations across the carbon assessment landscape.

Driving agri-tech: the Robotics Proving Ground

September 19, 2025 No Comments

The UK Agri-Tech Centre is a proud partner of the Robotics Proving Ground, an Innovate UK initiative which serves as a catalyst for the rapid development and adoption of robotics technologies in the UK and beyond. The Robotics Proving Ground is an internationally recognised catalyst for the development and adoption of advanced robotics technologies, accelerating the journey to commercialisation. The UK Agri-Tech Centre recently hosted an event within the Proving Ground programme at our Midlands Hub, creating an opportunity for cross-sector learning and collaboration. World-renowned capabilities The Robotics Proving Ground is deliberately broad, creating a strong UK-based innovation ecosystem that cuts across multiple industries. This event was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our facilities, connect with innovators and demonstrate how our network supports businesses in making technology market-ready. Agriculture, in particular, creates a complex and challenging proving ground for robotics. It is a sector defined by unpredictable weather patterns, variable terrain and complex physical conditions. It can be valuable to look at other challenging environments, such as offshore renewable energy, to learn how other sectors test and refine their own robotic solutions. One of the most important tools in this process is simulation. By creating virtual models, developers can test their technologies in a safe, controlled environment before moving into the field. The UK Agri-Tech Centre’s farm network and test and trial facilities enable innovators to trial their products safely, to build confidence and move closer to market readiness. Showcasing innovation During the event, we highlighted several success stories from our Community: Earth Rover – based at our Midlands Hub, using our workshop spaces to test and refine their robotics. UPP Broccoli Harvester – another tenant at the Hub, leveraging our network and facilities to advance their pioneering harvesting technology. Antobot – an excellent example of how access to our network has helped refine their product, find their niche in agriculture and grow. A collaborative audience The event brought together a diverse audience of companies, academic partners, supply chain representatives and stakeholders from across the automation and robotics sector. Key takeaways from the day include: Designing and testing autonomous technology that works alongside humans and livestock is a challenge. Proof of safety to build confidence among end users is critical. The Robotics Proving Ground aims to bridge knowledge gaps and build networks to tackle these shared challenges. What’s next? This event was part of an ongoing series designed to grow the robotics ecosystem and strengthen collaboration across sectors. The event also provided a great opportunity to highlight the work of the Automation and Robotics Regulatory Network (ARRNet), which is creating an organisation which will, in future, become the trusted partner of regulators, policy-makers, researchers and industry to deliver the evidence they need to create progressive regulation, industry standards and support businesses through the regulatory compliance testing and training accreditation journey. ARRNet is hosting two events in the next few months: Working Robots Day on 24 September – University of Lincoln 5 December – Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) The Proving Ground comprises the Satellite Applications Catapult, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, represented by the Manufacturing Technology Centre and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult. If you’re curious about our cutting-edge facilities, the Robotics Proving Ground or the ARRNet initiative, we’d love to hear from you via [email protected]

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