<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><ns2:project xmlns:ns1="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api" xmlns:ns2="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project" xmlns:ns3="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/fund" xmlns:ns4="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/person" xmlns:ns5="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/project/outcome" xmlns:ns6="http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk/gtr/api/organisation" ns1:created="2026-06-03T15:52:43Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/projects/E184BA5A-4AF6-4107-9462-5CA07ECDF8D4" ns1:id="E184BA5A-4AF6-4107-9462-5CA07ECDF8D4"><ns1:links><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/persons/7C68DF9E-D3C6-4FF9-A3C7-723956B37B52" ns1:rel="PM_PER"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/EDE33958-EE9D-4777-A076-E3A18D8C5B76" ns1:rel="LEAD_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/9CE43D6D-2884-4237-9835-FD077322FF7B" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/organisations/EDE33958-EE9D-4777-A076-E3A18D8C5B76" ns1:rel="PARTICIPANT_ORG"/><ns1:link ns1:end="2024-09-29T23:00:00Z" ns1:href="http://gtr.ukri.org/gtr/api/funds/CF38BE7B-F75A-49D4-AB74-3C64EF06BAC4" ns1:rel="FUND" ns1:start="2023-09-30T23:00:00Z"/></ns1:links><ns2:identifiers><ns2:identifier ns2:type="RCUK">10080016</ns2:identifier></ns2:identifiers><ns2:title>Robotic fieldsman</ns2:title><ns2:status>Closed</ns2:status><ns2:grantCategory>Grant for R&amp;D</ns2:grantCategory><ns2:leadFunder>Innovate UK</ns2:leadFunder><ns2:abstractText>Our feasibility study will look at how we can introduce cutting-edge solution for blueberry crop management, combining advanced robotics and intelligent software to drive productivity, sustainability, and environmental stewardship.

The Fieldsman, will be equipped with state-of-the-art sensing technologies, navigate autonomously through blueberry plantations, collecting crucial data on crop production, growth, health, and yields. This data will seamlessly integrate into a comprehensive software platform, which will provide farmers with a user-friendly interface to visualise, analyse, and manage their crops from any device.

Key features of our innovative solution in our feasibility study:

1. Real-time Data Insights: The Fieldsman will provide accurate and timely data on crop conditions, allowing farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilisation, pest control, and other critical aspects of blueberry cultivation. This data-driven approach optimizes resource allocation, minimizes waste, and maximizes crop yields.
2. Automation and Labour Efficiency: The Fieldsman will perform essential husbandry tasks, such as weeding and monitor pest presure, reducing labour costs and ensuring consistent and precise execution. By automating repetitive and labour-intensive activities, farmers will be able to allocate their labour force to more strategic operations, enhancing overall efficiency.
3. Advanced Data Analytics: Our software system will employ advanced analytics techniques to transform raw data into actionable insights. It will provide predictive analytics, enabling farmers to anticipate crop health issues, optimize resource usage, and improve overall farm management. The software platform will also facilitates data visualization, enabling farmers to monitor and track crop performance.
4. Scalability and Adaptability: While initially focused on blueberry crop management, our solution will have the potential to be adapted to other similar crops, such as strawberries and raspberries. This scalability ensures that our innovation can benefit a broader range of farmers and contribute to the advancement of sustainable farming practices.

By revolutionizing blueberry crop management, our project aims to enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience within the farming industry in England. It promotes the progression towards net-zero emissions by optimizing resource usage, reducing waste, and enabling farmers to adopt environmentally friendly practices.

Through this feasibility study, we will investigate the technical feasibility, economic viability, and potential market impact of our solution. We will collaborate with farmers, agricultural organisations, and technology experts to refine and validate our approach. The outputs of this study will not only provide valuable insights for our project but also serve as a foundation for future funding opportunities to further develop and commercialise our innovative solution.</ns2:abstractText></ns2:project>