Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Fieldwork Robotics Receives £2.5 Million Investment for Berry Harvesting Automation
Fieldwork Robotics has secured a £2.5 million investment from SEED Innovations to enhance its selective and modular berry harvesting robots. This funding is part of a Seed+ fundraising initiative announced in April 2026, aimed at addressing labor shortages and rising costs in berry production. The investment will facilitate the transition from technology validation to commercial trials, with production robots already deployed in a two-year program in Norfolk and Stafford. The significance of this investment lies in its potential to alleviate pressing challenges faced by berry growers, including labor shortages and increased harvesting costs. By utilizing autonomous harvesting robots, Fieldwork aims to boost productivity and reduce reliance on seasonal labor, thereby minimizing food waste and stabilizing consumer prices. Jim Mellon, chairman of SEED Innovations, emphasizes the opportunity for robotics and AI to tackle real-world agricultural issues, aligning with Fieldwork's mission to enhance farm efficiency. Looking ahead, Fieldwork Robotics anticipates operating multi-robot fleets on farms by 2027, contingent on the success of ongoing trials. Additionally, the company plans to expand its operations internationally, with trials set to take place in Australia as part of its global growth strategy. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Agriculture Financials & Investments agri robotics agricultural robotics agriculture automation
Fieldwork Robotics secures new funding to accelerate raspberry harvesting robot
Fieldwork Robotics, a UK-based company, has received a significant investment from SEED Innovations, led by entrepreneur Jim Mellon. This funding aims to expedite the commercial rollout of the company's innovative autonomous robot designed for raspberry harvesting. The investment comes at a crucial time as the agricultural sector increasingly seeks automation solutions to enhance efficiency and address labor shortages. By leveraging this financial support, Fieldwork Robotics plans to advance the development and deployment of its technology, positioning itself as a leader in agricultural robotics.
Smart farming autonomous technology harvesting technology investment robotics
Dogtooth Technologies Secures £14 Million for AI-Powered Strawberry Harvesting
UK-based Dogtooth Technologies has successfully raised over £14 million in funding to enhance its AI-driven strawberry picking robots. The financing, provided by 24 Haymarket, EMV Capital, and ACF Investors, along with a grant from Innovate UK, aims to accelerate the deployment of these robots in both the UK and international markets. The company has already established a fleet of approximately 70 robots operating on commercial farms in the UK and Australia, harvesting tens of tons of fruit each season. The significance of this funding lies in addressing the ongoing labor shortages in agriculture, which have made robotic harvesting a necessity rather than a luxury. Dogtooth's robots utilize advanced computer vision and precision mechanical arms to autonomously navigate complex growing environments, identify ripe fruit, and perform harvesting without damage. This technology allows for continuous operation, even in cooler night conditions, thereby extending the shelf life of harvested produce. Looking ahead, Dogtooth Technologies is poised to expand its market presence, having recently delivered systems to Dyson Farming, a UK indoor berry producer. As the global horticultural industry grapples with seasonal labor shortages and rising costs, the successful deployment of these agricultural robots could signal a shift towards more widespread adoption of embodied intelligence in farming. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Agricultural Robotics AI Technology Fruit Harvesting Embodied Intelligence
Cornell University Team Develops a Touch-Sensitive Strawberry-Picking Robot with 13 Sensors, Featured in Nature Communications
A team of researchers at Cornell University has developed a groundbreaking strawberry-picking robot designed to enhance agricultural efficiency. This innovative machine features a soft hand that integrates vision, touch, and bending perception, enabling it to accurately identify ripe strawberries. The robot's advanced technology allows it to pick the fruit delicately, minimizing the risk of damage. This development represents a significant advancement in the field of agricultural automation, addressing the growing need for efficient harvesting solutions in the face of labor shortages and increasing demand for fresh produce.
Agricultural Robotics Soft Robotics Automation Technology Sensor Technology
Handle with care: Soft robot gripper picks ripe fruit without bruising
Researchers at Cornell University have developed an innovative soft robot gripper designed to assess the ripeness of strawberries through tactile feedback. This advancement, which utilizes stretchable fiber-optic sensors, allows the robot to predict the fruit's readiness by touch. The gripper is capable of gently twisting the strawberries off their branches or vines, ensuring that the delicate fruit remains undamaged during the harvesting process. This technology not only enhances the efficiency of fruit picking but also addresses the challenges associated with manually assessing ripeness, which typically relies on visual and olfactory cues. The development represents a significant step forward in agricultural robotics, aiming to improve the quality and yield of strawberry production while minimizing waste.
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