Robotics, automation and associated technologies – an Arable Horizons talk

As part of Arable Horizons hosted by Farmers Weekly, University of Lincoln Professors, Tom Duckett, School of Computer Science and Simon Pearson, Founder of LIAT, will be speaking at the National Space Centre, Leicester, on 26^th April 2017.

Arable Horizons is a series of 5 interactive talks, hosted by Farmers Weekly and in partnership with Syngenta, which cover some of the most exciting and innovative agricultural research; from robot-assisted farming to gene-edited crops. Exploration into the development of higher yields and cheaper production are key themes, as well as bringing a greener and more stable future for British agriculture.

The topic, “Robotics, automation and associated technologies”, will discuss exactly how robots and other related technologies will make UK farming more efficient than ever, whilst reducing the cost of labour and pesticides.

Editor of Farmers Weekly, Karl Schneider, is a keen supporter of British agriculture: “UK arable farmers face a variety of unprecedented challenges over the next 25 years, from pesticide resistance and soil degradation to climate change and feeding an increasing population. Farmers Weekly, in partnership with Syngenta, want to draw attention to some of the individuals and institutions working to ensure a more productive and sustainable future for UK agriculture. We want to highlight some of the incredibly exciting research projects currently underway in the sector, projects that could genuinely change the way we farm in 2040.”

UK agricultural researchers, scientists and agronomists will be in attendance, as well as the nation’s farmers. The event will be a fantastic opportunity to chat and network with your peers, Farmers Weekly staff and guest speakers Prof Tom Duckett and Prof Simon Pearson.

You can register for the talks here.

The agenda for the event:

17.30 – 18.00

(30 mins)

Drinks and nibbles will be provided for guests on arrival, with the chance for delegates to network before the formal start of the evening.

18.00 – 18.10

(10 mins) Introduction from Farmers Weekly Editor, Karl Schneider

Karl Schneider will introduce the evening: the idea behind the project, the topic, speakers and guests, partnership with Syngenta, and opportunities for interactivity throughout the talk.

18.10 – 18.50

(40 mins) Prof Tom Duckett presents ‘Robotics, automation and associated technologies’ Arable Horizons talk.

University of Lincoln professor and Head of the Lincoln Centre for Autonomous Systems Tom Duckett presents an introductory overview of the current use of robotics and associated technologies in agriculture and what some of the recent/future advances could mean for UK farmers. Prof. Duckett will talk about some of his own research and how we can work with other industries to make the integration of new machinery and technology into the farmers’ everyday toolkit as simple and productive as possible.

18.50 – 19.15

(25 mins) Prof Simon Pearson presents a talk on the most exciting future agricultural technology projects.

University of Lincoln professor and Founding Director of the Lincoln Institute of Agri Food Technology Simon Pearson presents his talk on some of the specific projects focussed on novel robotics and machinery, their integration into the UK agriculture industry and what it could mean for the farmer on the ground.

19.15 – 20.00

(45 mins) Interactive session with Prof Tom Duckett, Prof Simon Pearson & Karl Schneider

Karl Schneider will chair the interactive session in which the panel will take questions on the topics of robotics and associated technologies from the audience, both from guests in the room and those watching online.

20.00 – 20.20

(20 mins) Presentation from Syngenta on their work in robotics and the potential for the future

A Syngenta expert will present on what they as an organisation are doing in the area of robotics and machinery and how their research could help farmers tackle some of their most common and costly issues.

20.20 Dinner