Projects
Integrated Human-Augmented Robotics and Intelligent Sensing Platform for Precision Viticulture
Funding source: Innovate UK
Start: 01-09-2023 / End: 31-08-2026
Amount: £299,496
This project aims to revolutionize the way high-value horticultural crops such as grapes, berries, and other fruits are grown by developing and implementing a precision farming ecosystem. The ecosystem consists of three main components: image spectral analysis for monitoring crop health, precision manipulation and perception system with virtual reality interface, and cloud-connected AI.
The initial research and trials will address the viticulture industry. The project involves a collaboration between Extend Robotics (ER), Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and a UK vineyard, Saffron Grange (SG). QMUL is a world-leading research university that is committed to making a positive impact on the world through research and innovation. QMUL's expertise in remote sensing and image spectral analysis is critical to the project's success. ER is a UK-based start-up that specializes in developing virtual reality-based teleoperation systems for remote manipulation of robots. ER's expertise in precision manipulation and perception systems is essential to the development of the modular robotic hardware system with human equivalent manipulation robotic arms and cameras. The collaboration between QMUL and ER brings together the necessary expertise to develop the cloud-connected AI components that will enable the robotic automation of general tasks such as pruning and harvesting in viticulture. This will provide immediate benefits to SG as the test bed provider as well providing benefits to the wider UK viticulture industry through published research and business case development of precision agriculture practices.
EPSRC Core Equipment 2020Funding source: EPSRC Engineering and Physical Sciences Research CouncilStart: 01-11-2020 / End: 30-04-2022 Amount: £497,496 |
Computational Design and Control of Quadruped Robots with Bio-inspired Leg Mechanisms for Dynamic Locomotion in Challenging TerrainFunding source: Royal SocietyStart: 31-03-2021 / End: 30-03-2022 Amount: £20,000 |