Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
UK Government Initiates £20 Million Funding Competition for Agricultural Robotics Development
The UK government has introduced a £20 million funding competition aimed at enhancing the development of robots and automated technologies in agriculture. This initiative, announced by farming minister Stephen Morgan, seeks to assist farmers in boosting productivity and reducing reliance on seasonal labor. The funding is directed towards agri-tech businesses collaborating with researchers and farmers to create robotic systems for planting, monitoring, and harvesting crops. This funding competition is part of the government’s Farming Innovation Programme and follows a previous £53 million funding package, bringing the total funding for farming research and technology in 2023 to £123 million. The initiative aims to support the development of automation technologies that can alleviate labor shortages during peak harvest times. Fieldwork Robotics, known for its raspberry-picking robot, is one of the companies benefiting from prior government support to enhance its technology. Looking ahead, the competition is being executed in collaboration with Innovate UK, emphasizing the growing significance of robotics in agriculture. As stated by Chris Danks from Innovate UK, this initiative will facilitate the transition of innovative concepts into practical applications on farms, ultimately improving productivity and resilience in the agricultural sector. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Agriculture News agricultural innovation agricultural robotics agricultural robots agricultural technology
ePropelled Receives $60 Million U.S. Funding to Boost Drone Propulsion Manufacturing in New Hampshire
U.S. drone propulsion manufacturer ePropelled has announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing operations in New Hampshire, backed by $60 million in U.S. government funding. This initiative will increase the company's production space from 20,000 square feet to 80,000 square feet in Laconia, enhancing propulsion system production capacity by over four times. The funding, provided through the Department of War’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, aims to strengthen the U.S. industrial base and domestic production of critical technologies. ePropelled's expansion will enable the company to meet rising demand from government programs, allied nations, and commercial drone manufacturers, reflecting a growing focus on the components within drones. The new facility will introduce automated production lines and additional engineering resources, creating jobs in New Hampshire. ePropelled's CEO, Nick Grewal, emphasized the importance of this investment for both the company and the U.S. advanced manufacturing sector, as it aims to deliver reliable propulsion systems while supporting the government's domestic manufacturing objectives. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Drone Manufacturing Drone News Drone News Feeds News critical drone components Department of War
Which Robot Companies Received Funding from the 100 Billion Yuan Government Fund?
The Beijing government has announced the establishment of a 100 billion yuan investment fund dedicated to advancing high-tech industries, particularly in robotics and embodied intelligence. This initiative, aimed at fostering the integration of various industry chains, seeks to accelerate the development of both humanoid and industrial robots. The fund will prioritize investments in innovative companies within these sectors, reflecting the government's commitment to enhancing technological capabilities and driving economic growth.
Robot Investment Embodied Intelligence Humanoid Robots AI TechnologyRobotics needs a service framework.
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