University of Surrey and Farnham robotics collaboration gets £1m grant

By Tom Kilkelly

23 October 2023

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The Business Magazine article image for: University of Surrey and Farnham robotics collaboration gets £1m grant

Credit: Fox Robotics Ltd

Fox Robotics Ltd, a Farnham based robotics company, has been granted a near £1 million grant from DEFRA and Innovate UK for its FLEXBOT project.

The project, which is in collaboration with the University of Surrey, aims to integrate the robot vision & AI capabilities of the University of Surrey, to enhance Fox Robotics Ltd.’s Hugo RT unit.

Hugo RT was designed with horticulture farms in mind, with all-terrain capabilities and autonomous navigation, providing invaluable support to farmers in their day-to-day operations, but has applications in husbandry, fruit, flowers and other agricultural contexts.

This FLEXBOT project will involve the enhancement of the Hugo RT navigation system, ensuring that the robot can operate autonomously in bustling, and energetic farm environments.

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Following the robot's upgrades, the FLEXBOT project is looking to enhance and showcase the scalability, productivity, and profitability of English fruit farms.

Fox’s Chairman, Christian Gordon-Pullar said: “We are delighted to be able to participate in the FLEXBOT project and to help steer and lead such an illustrious group of collaborators on this exciting journey and very grateful to be selected for this Grant in light of the excellent competition.

''The aim of this collaboration is to enhance technology that aims to simplify the adoption of robotics in agriculture by mitigating the complexities associated with advanced technology manipulation and will empower farmers to harness the benefits of robotics without the need for extensive technical expertise”.

By Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022.

During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan).

His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.