Published: 23 March 2026
The award recognises a multi-year collaboration between the University of Essex, spin-out Versatile RobotX and industry partners including Wilkin & Sons, JEPCO, and GyroPlant, focused on developing deployable robotic systems for agricultural production.
The programme has successfully demonstrated low-cost autonomous robotic platforms capable of performing complex agricultural tasks, including crop identification, harvesting, and handling. These systems integrate AI-based perception, robotic manipulation, and adaptive decision-making to operate in dynamic and unstructured farming environments.
“Winning the UKRI AI & Robotics Research Award for Best Research Project (Industry Collaboration) is a major endorsement of what can be achieved when world-class research is co-designed with industry.”
A distinguishing feature of the work is its focus on cost-effective engineering, enabling robotic systems to move beyond high-cost, niche solutions towards scalable platforms that can be adopted across a wide range of farms. The systems have demonstrated adaptability across crops, tasks, and growing environments, providing a foundation for multi-use agricultural automation.
The project also highlights the benefits of co-creation with industry partners, where systems are continuously validated and refined in operational environments rather than confined to laboratory settings. This approach significantly accelerates the pathway to commercial deployment.
“This award recognises several years of close collaboration with leading growers on an extremely complex robotics challenge, with the broader vision to transform how food is produced and how people work in demanding agricultural environments.”
Building on this programme, Versatile RobotX has been established to commercialise these technologies and scale their deployment across the agricultural sector.
The award represents a significant milestone in the transition from research-led innovation to commercially viable robotic systems for agriculture.
