A fully automatic robotic harvesting system for broccoli, involving a 3D camera technology, is now being developed at the University of Lincoln, in the UK.
Along with 70 business institutions and universities, the University of Lincoln took part in the funding through the £70 million Agri-Tech Catalyst, which aims to develop the agricultural technology in the UK.
The objective of the project is to test whether 3D camera technology can be used to determine if broccoli is ready for harvesting. This will be the big step to significantly reduce production costs.
Project lead Professor Tom Duckett, group coordinator of the Agri-Food Technology Research Group said that broccoli is one of the world's largest vegetable crops and it costs so much to entirely harvest it. This technology is also a vital move towards the development of fully-automated robot harvesting systems, which could then be used for different crops.
"In all our agri-related research work, our mission is to develop new technological solutions for the business of producing food through agriculture. The long-term impact of our research includes safer food, less waste, more efficient food production and better use of natural resources, as well as promoting human health and happiness." Duckett said.
The Head of the Agriculture and Food at Innovative UK Ian Meikle explained that the Agri-Tech Strategy aims to make the UK a world leader in agricultural technology.
The research was led by the experts which was targeted to creating innovative agriculatural technology. Meikle stated that they support brilliant ideas that give solutions to problems of the future in food and farming. With the teamwork of all the different institutions may it be public or private, they can deliver significant benefits for the economy and to the society.
The University of Lincoln also has a project about the early detection and biocontrol of diseases in mushrooms and potatoes.This endeavor will create an alternative to the use of pesticides of mushroom and potato companies, which is a big help in their future sustainability.
