Technological innovation, artificial intelligence and robotics are transforming the UK’s agricultural industry and shaping the sustainable future of food produce.
Lincoln Agri-Robotics at the University of Lincoln, UK, is the world’s largest academic research centre on agri-robotics. It is a centre of international and impactful research and facilities, it is now showcasing the technology which will shape the future of sustainable food production.
In conjunction with the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC), Lincoln Agri-Robotics is hosting an FPC Future conference session on Robotics and Automation in horticulture. The event is free to attend and will take place on 4 November 2021 at the Lincolnshire Showground.
The packed schedule includes eight conference sessions covering pre and post farm robotics and automation, data driven technologies, plastics and packaging, supply chain waste, carbon supply chains, vertical farming and sustainability.
Attendees will see how the world’s largest known robotic farm, ‘Robot Highways’ project, is shaping the future of UK and international farming and food production. The research aims to ensure industry sustainability by addressing labour shortages, the need for global food production and reduce the environmental impact of the farming sector.
‘Robot Highways’ is set to deliver a vision for the future of soft fruit farming, where robots will assist farmers by carrying out essential, energy intensive physical farm processes such as picking and packing fruit and treating crops to reduce critical pests and diseases, powered by renewable energy.
Tours of the University of Lincoln’s Riseholme Campus will provide a fantastic opportunity for visitors to see these technological developments – including the robotic harvesting of strawberries, a state-of-the-art refrigeration unit and various other facilities supporting projects in artificial intelligence, robotics and engineering.
An FPC Careers event will be running alongside FPC Futures. Young people are being invited to sample this exciting modern sector as attendees can find out about the ample career opportunities within the agricultural industry.
This co-located event will connect today’s up-and-coming talent with the food and flower industry’s best businesses and employers. People aged 18-30 from national universities and colleges studying across all educational disciplines are invited to attend.
Professor Simon Pearson, Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology, said:
“The University of Lincoln is at the forefront of the UK’s agri-tech and agri-food developments, with our research and teaching supporting innovation and developing workforce skills alongside partners across our food and farming sectors.
“Never has it been more important for universities and partners across the sector to work together to deliver the skills, technologies and knowledge base that our agri-food industries require to adapt to a rapidly changing and uncertain landscape.
“Therefore, we are delighted to be partnering with Fresh Produce Consortium for this inaugural agri-tech innovation exhibition and are looking forward to showing visitors the breadth of research being undertaken and specialist facilities here at our Riseholme Campus.”
