Overview
Robotic systems rooted in dexterity that can handle foods delicately, without damage, to provide high performance solutions to farmers.
With the labour crisis in UK agriculture growing rapidly, there is increasing interest in the potential role that robotics could play across the food industry. However, with challenges in developing systems with a ‘human’ sense of touch and feel, there are limitations in the impact robotics can achieve. Research suggests that these systems can damage the skin or flesh of more delicate fruits and vegetables, and break or remove stems on apples, pears, cherries, and plums, affecting the product’s shelf life.
It’s a challenge that Atif Syed is addressing head on. Syed is CEO and Founder of robotics and technology company Wootzano. Together with the team, Syed is working to develop innovative new systems rooted in dexterity that can handle foods delicately, without damage, to provide high performance solutions to farmers.
With help from the Sustainable Innovation Fund, Wootzano has been able to continue developing processes, and create the first prototype of the proposed system. Known as Avarai, the technology holds the potential to truly revolutionise the future of farming.
