A Smart Robotic System for SmartFarm

Lead Participant: SMALL ROBOT COMPANY LIMITED

Abstract

Small Robot Company is an agritech start-up commercialising a deceptively simple idea: small robots not big tractors.
This project will aim to develop an pest and disease control spraying system integrated on a robotic platform, capable of treating the problem with a per-plant precision spraying platform. This will prevent yield-limiting crop damage by addressing pest and disease problems early, and minimise pesticide input through early intervention targeting only affected plants, not the whole crop.
The deployment of small robots protects soils, avoiding the damage caused by conventional heavy machinery. They also require a fraction of the energy to operate. This precision approach maximises output, and minimises input - driving efficiency, contributing towards net zero emissions from agriculture and maximising farmer returns. The platform will contribute significantly to the commercialisation of SRC's Farming as a Service model. UK partners (SRC, University of Strathclyde and Agri-EPI Centre) will work closely with a consortium in China to develop, test and demonstrate this technology, with a view to jointly commercialising the project outputs in the UK, China and beyond.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

SMALL ROBOT COMPANY LIMITED £588,229 £ 264,703
 

Participant

INNOVATE UK
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE £96,923 £ 96,923
AGRI-EPI CENTRE LIMITED £136,172 £ 136,172
UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE

Publications

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