Robots in the Fields

If you thought you could escape the rise of the robots at a country farm then think again. Researchers at the University of Warwick (my old alma mater) plan to take robots down among the mangle wurzles.

Researchers from the University's horticultural arm, Warwick HRI, and its manufacturing engineering section, Warwick Manufacturing Group, are working on a number of robotics and automation products. These include:


Robot Mushroom Picker
This will use cameras to decide which mushrooms are the right size then use a suction cup to pick them.

Inflatable Conveyor Belt
A collection of inflatable harvesting aids are being developed in conjunction with Aeropick.

Robot Grass Cutter
Researchers are working on a system where a single employee can deploy and oversee numerous autonomous robot grass-cutters.


That last one could bring a whole new dimension to "One Man And His Dog". Come by, Robby!

Full Press Release here