Latest South West farming robots and AI go on show
Could West Country-led robotics help bring down the costs of buying food in the shops?
Last updated 21st Apr 2023
The South West National Farmers' Union say they welcome the increasing use of robots and artificial intelligence in farming - as they feel it could help cut costs and address labour shortages.
Director Mel Squires has told us she doesn't believe robots will be able to replace all people - as she says roles like lambing will always need a human touch.
This week food inflation hit 19 per cent on some items and farming experts believe emerging technologies could help reduce costs in future.
The latest tech - being developed by firms in the South West - has just been on show at the region's Agri-Tech event |newtab) in Exeter.
Joanna Rufus, chair of South West Agri-tech, said: “Key technologies that are penetrating the global agriculture sector include data analytics, artificial intelligence, internet-of-things, and automation systems, along with production and uses of biofuel as an alternative source of energy.
"Satellite technologies are increasingly enabling the next generation of agri-tech by providing positioning information; delivering frequent, wide-scale observation, and providing reliable, affordable and ubiquitous connectivity."
Demonstrations at the event included from the Wiltshire-based Small Robot Company, which says it is working to make farming 'more environmentally and financially sustainable'.
One robotics firm, based in Cornwall, is working with the University of Plymouth., |newtab) You can see a video of the robot in action here |newtab)
The University of Plymouth has been supporting agricultural tech development |newtab), with a project spokesperson saying: "Some experts predict the revenues generated by agricultural robots will grow by as much as 10 times within the next 10 years.
"Soft-fruit and vegetable growers are particularly at risk from these challenges – but they are ones that robots have perhaps the greatest potential to address. Their produce must meet demanding specifications from buyers, such as supermarkets, while labour currently represents 40 to 60 per cent of their total costs."