A fruit picking project, nicknamed ‘RAS-Berry’ has seen a collaboration between scientists at the University of Lincoln, SAGA Robotics and Berry Gardens Growers Ltd create the next generation of fruit-picking robots.

One of the largest projects of its kind in the EU, the aim is to relieve agricultural workers from heavy lifting work and increase productivity from the point the fruit is picked as the machines have been designed to move heavy boxes of soft fruits from the picking point to the collection point.

RAS-Berry is featured as part of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy, which is a long-term plan for boosting the productivity and earning power of people throughout the UK.

The project funding has been granted from several sources, including the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the £1 billion AI sector deal, which puts the UK at the forefront of the AI sector.

There is an interactive map of locations around the UK which are featured in the Industrial Strategy plan, which can be viewed online.