Dogtooth Technologies has showcased its fruit-picking robotic technology exclusively to Produced in Kent members.
Produced in Kent is a membership organisation that represents the local independent food, drink, and craft industries of English county Kent, encompassing more than 300 growers, producers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, as well as various food and drink-serving outlets.
The organisation was given a demonstration of some of the latest technology, which included agricultural robotics designed to transform soft fruit picking.
READ MORE: Three ways AI can help farmers tackle the challenges of modern agriculture
Attendees witnessed a working demonstration of how strawberry harvesting robots work with table-top growing systems that are used across the world.
Dr Duncan Roberston, CEO of Dogtooth Technologies, said: “By harnessing the power of a combination of low-cost harvesting robots and state-of-the-art AI control systems, we can help to ensure a sustainable future for horticulture, and support our farmers in their efforts to provide consumers with fresh, high-quality produce.”
The company has been working with UK growers since 2016 to develop commercial robotic harvesting solutions.
READ MORE: US farming robot start-up secures more than US$10m to advance solution
Dogtooth Technologies’ robots use autonomous navigation along crop rows to locate and pick the ripe fruit, and use on-board quality control to grade picked berries, placing them directly into punnets according to supermarket criteria.
Particularly since Brexit, UK farms have faced shortages in seasonal workers to pick fruit, meaning many crops are left to rot, creating a huge amount of food waste.
The goal for using robotics in farming is to reduce the amount of waste occurring.
Innovations and achievements in agriculture will be highlighted and celebrated at the second annual Robotics & Automation Awards on 06 November 2024 at De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.roboticsandautomationawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable industry event – and to book your table!
