In a significant advancement for the agriculture industry, the University of Essex in the UK has developed a low-cost, high-speed robot capable of picking and packaging strawberries in seconds. This innovative project, conducted in partnership with renowned jam producer Wilkin & Sons, aims to make robotic harvesting both affordable and efficient, promising to address critical labour shortages in the sector.
A New Era for Strawberry Farming
The strawberry-picking robot, supported by a £1.02 million grant from the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under its Farming Innovation Programme, has been tested at Wilkin & Sons’ vertical farms in Tiptree. Designed to perform at lightning speed, the robot can identify, pick, weigh, and package a strawberry in just 2.5 seconds, vastly outperforming existing technology that costs an average of £150,000. This new prototype, by contrast, is expected to be available at a fraction of the price, estimated at just £10,000.
The Technology Behind the Robot
Developed by Dr. Vishwanathan Mohan and Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier from the University of Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, the strawberry-picking robot is a feat of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence. Dr. Mohan highlighted the broader vision behind this project, stating, “Through this project, we want to transform how food is grown efficiently using robotics and AI, making state-of-the-art agri-robotics technologies accessible to everyone.”
This modular robot is adaptable and, with minor adjustments, can harvest other crops such as onions, tomatoes, and lettuce. Future trials are planned for these crops, aiming to broaden the robot’s utility across various types of farms.
Addressing Labour Shortages and Environmental Sustainability
The automation of the strawberry-picking process brings several key benefits. First and foremost, it alleviates the dependency on human labour for repetitive, physically demanding tasks. Given the severe labour shortages faced by farmers, especially during peak harvest seasons, this robot offers a timely solution. By reducing reliance on manual labour, the robot also shortens the overall harvest time, extending the shelf-life of produce by ensuring swift packaging.
This project aligns with the UK Government’s Farming Innovation Programme’s goals, which focus on enhancing productivity and environmental sustainability within agriculture. By reducing labour demands and improving harvesting efficiency, this robot supports the industry’s transition toward net-zero emissions, a critical step in combating climate change.
The Future of Agri-Robotics
The agricultural sector has long struggled with rising operational costs and the challenges of labour-intensive processes. However, with robotic solutions like the strawberry-picking robot, smaller farms and businesses can access affordable technology that could significantly impact their productivity. The scalability and adaptability of the robot make it a practical choice, allowing farmers to implement it on a wide scale to address various crop needs.
As Dr. Mohan emphasizes, robotics and AI in agriculture represent a “game-changer,” not only in improving food and labour security but also in tackling climate and energy challenges. As the project progresses, the University of Essex and Wilkin & Sons aim to demonstrate how this technology can lead the way in sustainable farming and inspire further innovations in agri-robotics.
