Versatile RobotX was established by Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier and Dr Vishuu Mohan. Professor McDonald-Maier said: “This award recognises our Versatile RobotX demo, which showcases a fully autonomous dual-arm mobile robot for soft fruit harvesting and other repetitive farm tasks, such as seedling transplanting and lettuce harvesting.”
Also read: The Role of Robotics in Agriculture: Revolutionising Farming Practices and Boosting Efficiency
Team and Recognition at The Royal Society
The awards ceremony at The Royal Society in London was attended by Professor McDonald-Maier and Dr Mohan, alongside Essex-based robotics researchers Roberto Mendívil Castro and Daniel Cedillo Hernández, plus Knowledge Exchange Manager Flavia Popescu-Richardson.
The team was excited to receive the prestigious award for their delivery of the most engaging and impactful research demonstration, celebrating creativity and innovation, and also their effective communication of complex concepts.
The award also highlighted the team's ability to showcase technical achievements and real-world applications in an accessible and compelling way, with evidence of public, academic, and industry interest.
Technical Highlights and Innovation in AI-Driven Robotics
The team at the UKRI Trusted Autonomous Systems Accelerator event in 2024 showcased Versatile RobotX technology.
Professor McDonald-Maier said: “Our demonstration highlights the complexity of seemingly simple human tasks, integrating AI-driven 2D/3D perception, adaptive motion planning, and human-robot collaboration.”
Successful Field Testing of Versatile RobotX
The Essex team has successfully field-tested its tech solutions at Wilkin & Sons in Tiptree and JEPCO's hydroponic lettuce farm. Essex researchers are hopeful the technology they are developing can help reduce labour costs, increase productivity, and enhance food security.
The Versatile RobotX team is also developing innovative low-cost, 3D-printable robotic components to further lower barriers to adoption.
Widespread Recognition and Interest in Versatile RobotX
Professor McDonald-Maier said: “Our demo has been widely showcased, from nurseries to policymakers, and exhibited at DEFRA's FruitFocus 2024 and Agri-TechE's REAP 2024, where Versatile RobotX was named a top company shaping the future of farming. The technology is attracting interest from major growers and agritech firms in its scale-up journey.”
Media Coverage and Future Prospects of Versatile RobotX
The Essex research has also been featured on the BBC, ITV News, and in Farmers Weekly. Professor McDonald-Maier expressed thanks to everyone who has contributed to the work, including partners Wilkin & Sons, JEPCO, the UKRI Trustworthy Autonomous Systems (TAS) Hub, and Responsible AI UK.
