A new self-directed guided fomite ( AGV ) is being develop that could assist transmute the horticultural sphere and assist take on the labour famine .
A prototype is being designed to meet the complex pauperism of commercial-grade horticultural , travel along the launch of a project by the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board ( AHDB ) .
precede mechanisation experts from the WMG , University of Warwick are creating the example alongside three horticultural occupation ; Crystal Heart Salad ( lettuce propagators , Yorkshire ) , Valefresco ( salad , Worcestershire ) , and WD Smith & Son ( bedding plants , Essex ) . It will have the electric potential to exploit in both glasshouse and outdoor surroundings to automate the movement of tray and boxes around the production arena .
The winning AGV undertaking was chosen conform to a competitive process where UK horticultural businesses were invited to pitch for WMG to serve automatise an area of their production . The project was launched by AHDB last yr .
Grace Emeny , Knowledge Exchange Manager at AHDB , said : “ With the deficiency of available British Labour Party an increasing pressure for many businesses , there is a growing need to automate more quotidian tasks to enable staff to be reapportion to more skilled jobs .
“ There are two main barriers that prevent the uptake of automation . Many off - the ledge solutions do n’t bring for diverse horticulture production systems and often the return on investment does n’t heap up in the current trading climate . WMG were tasked with come up to both of these challenges , which we believe they are well on their agency to achieving . ”
Robert Harrison , Professor of Automation Systems , WMG , University of Warwick said : “ We ’ve been capable to hold the press cutting - edge technology developed in the automotive manufacture to the challenging environment of horticultural production .
“ We reexamine existing AGVs to ensure there was n’t an available product that could meet the growers ’ needs and have consort a full analysis on the potential paradigm to assure the investment could be repaid through offset future labour costs . ”
A requirement of the winning project was that it needed to be applicable to the wider horticulture manufacture and lick a problem relevant to many business organisation . The overall goal is for the prototype to be develop commercially and is probable to cost around £ 30,000 to £ 50,000 bet on its shape .
James Bean , Crystal Heart Salad Co. said , “ WMG have made several visit to our glasshouse . They have carried out a study of our logistics and have identify a design of independent vehicle which can better efficiency and remove low - skilled manual tasks .
“ We are emotional to see this move to the next stage , to carry genuine - living tests of the technology . If it fulfils expectations , it will make a central alteration to our business . ”
gracility bestow , “ We know gardening is at the forefront of a digital revolution in husbandry and our SmartHort programme is plan to avail connect growers with automation and robotics expert to help quicken innovation . This projection demonstrates the likely chance usable from match acquisition outside horticulture to meet the penury of the manufacture . ”
The project is being funded by AHDB and match - fund by Innovate - UK - backed High Value Manufacturing Catapult .
raiser are invited to witness out more about the project and to see how they can adopt mechanisation in to their businesses at a special event , hosted by WMG , on 25 May 2025 . To book , visitahdb.org.uk/events .
To find out more about the SmartHort Automation Challenge , visitahdb.org.uk/smarthort .
