Fieldwork Robotics, a Cambridge-based innovator in agricultural technology, has announced a strategic partnership with Burro, a manufacturer of autonomous and collaborative mobile robot platforms. This collaboration aims to address the pressing labour crisis impacting the agricultural sector, particularly among raspberry growers.
The agricultural industry has been facing significant challenges due to rising labour costs exacerbated by increases in minimum wage and a diminishing pool of seasonal workers. As a response to these pressures, growers are increasingly turning to innovative technologies to help alleviate the financial and logistical burdens associated with manual harvesting. However, one of the primary hurdles they encounter is the initial investment required for robotic solutions, coupled with the difficulties posed by a lack of compatibility among various technologies.
Fieldwork Robotics has indicated that interoperability between different technological systems is a critical factor in facilitating cost-effective and efficient integration of robotics into agricultural operations. The resilience and productivity of farming can be significantly enhanced when various robotic platforms can work seamlessly together.
To this end, the partnership has yielded a base-agnostic payload designed to be compatible with multiple robotic bases, including those manufactured by Burro. This payload, referred to as the Fieldworker 1, allows farmers to implement an efficient harvesting solution that remains financially accessible. The payload’s compatibility extends to other brands as well, such as OxDrive, which focuses on the development of robust electric drives.
David Fulton, CEO of Fieldwork Robotics, affirmed the importance of this partnership by stating, “Burro is the perfect partner for Fieldwork as we continue to develop our product offering. The team’s expertise in autonomous agricultural robots has been an invaluable addition as we continue to enhance our capabilities. This collaboration is a significant milestone for us, and we look forward to delivering an enhanced service to our customers.” Fulton further elaborated on the advantages of their new model, which has benefited from Burro’s technological insights, stating it is crucial for maintaining their competitive edge in the market.
Burro’s offerings are specifically designed to support agricultural workflows impeded by worker shortages. The company has recently secured $24 million in Series B funding, further solidifying its position within the market. Burro’s autonomous platforms use machine learning and high-precision GPS technologies to enhance operational efficiencies in the field.
Charlie Andersen, CEO of Burro, highlighted the stellar capabilities of Fieldwork’s systems, noting, “Fieldwork’s technology is truly world class. It has been a pleasure to work with David and the team as they developed their technology. Our combined expertise in robotics and automation facilitated an interactive and highly effective partnership.” He expressed enthusiasm about the future trajectory of their collaboration and the excitement it has generated among customers looking for autonomous harvesting solutions.
Recent advancements have already resulted in the successful field trials of the Fieldworker 1 at Place UK Ltd., a grower associated with Driscoll’s berries. These trials have demonstrated the efficacy of the technology, with plans for further testing with Costa Group, one of Australia’s leading berry growers, slated for 2025.
Dan Yordanov, head of Fresh at Place UK Ltd., remarked on the significance of the trials, stating, “Seeing Fieldwork’s technology operating in the field has been fascinating. We were very pleased to work with David and the team to test the Fieldworker 1 at Place UK, and we are confident that it will be an invaluable harvesting solution to growers in the future.”
This collaboration between Fieldwork Robotics and Burro represents a step forward in the application of automation technologies within the agricultural sector, aiming to reduce the reliance on manual labour while improving harvesting efficiencies.
Source: Noah Wire Services