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LONDON (Alliance News) - Frontier IP Group PLC on Monday said its portfolio company Fieldwork Robotics Ltd collaborated with soft-fruit grower Hall Hunter Partnership to prototype and field test a raspberry harvesting robot system.
Frontier IP holds 28% interest in Fieldwork Robotics, which is a University of Plymouth spinout company developing robotic solutions for the agriculture.
The consultancy services provider said the agreement is an important milestone for University of Plymouth spin-out Fieldwork Robotics in bringing its agricultural robot technology to market.
Fieldwork's patent-pending technology consists of dedicated grippers, adaptable soft-robotic arms, sensors and software able to identify supermarket-ready fruit.
Frontier IP said Fieldwork has already tested the robots in laboratory conditions, but the collaboration will enable it to field test and further refine the technology by working in a range of environments and under different climatic and light conditions. Field tests are expected to start later this year.
Looking forward, Fieldworks plans to adopt the technology to other fruit and vegetables. The academics at the University of Plymouth are working on a tomato harvesting project with the Shanghai Jiaotong University in China.
Also, the University of Plymouth has also received grants to develop applications for cauliflowers and other vegetables.
"We're delighted to collaborate with one of the UK's leading soft-fruit growers to take Fieldwork Robotics' technology through the next stage of its development," said Chief Executive Neil Crabb.