10112955Progressive Agri-Robotics Regulatory NetworkClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKThis proposal builds on the work of the Regulatory Horizon Council, summarised in their 2023 report _Unlocking the potential of robotics in Agriculture and Horticulture,_ and follows the Government's Food Strategy (2022), Defra's Automation in Horticulture Review (2022), and Defra's _Independent review into labour shortages in the food supply chain_ (2023). All these papers endorse the role of agri-robotics in the sustainability and resilience of the agricultural and horticultural sectors, and identify regulatory barriers to adoption, and potential future policy enablers. This proposed network for agri-robotics regulatory science and innovation will raise the sector's profile with regulators, delivering evidence to build progressive regulation and policy which will support the widespread adoption of agri-robotics technologies. A wide range of regulation, policy and standards impact agri-robotics development and deployment, leading to a complex landscape and uncertain path to adoption. The network will reflect a diverse and inclusive representation of farmers, technology developers, researchers, regulators and policy makers, and key enablers such as the finance sector, insurers and investors. This will ensure needs, requirements, and perspectives are well-represented to build a shared way forward. We will also seek to learn from other sectors such as manufacturing, automotive and construction, where similar challenges exist or have been overcome. This initial Discovery phase of work will lay the foundation for this network, engaging and securing support from across the agri-robotics sector and its stakeholders, scoping its remit and working collaboratively to develop the Implementation proposal. The consortium for the initial phase comprises two agri-tech centres and a leading academic centre for agri-robotics science, R&D and training. This gives us a strong basis for establishing this network with our extensive collective links in the sector, technical and market knowledge, and independence.