"The University of Lincoln has secured £4.8 million as part of a £7.1 million investment to establish one of the UK's new Robotics Adoption Hubs. The funding is part of the Robotics Adoption programme delivered by Innovate UK, and part of UKRI IS8 Advanced Manufacturing Programme. It will establish one of the UK's new Robotics Adoption Hubs, helping accelerate the use of robotics across agriculture and food manufacturing. 

One of only eight hubs selected from 74 applications nationwide, the new hub will be based at the University's Riseholme Park Campus and will provide businesses with access to cutting-edge robotics research, testing facilities and industry expertise to help bring new technologies into real-world use. 

The hub was formally launched on Friday 8 October during a visit from Business and Trade Minister Kanishka Narayan, who met University representatives, Innovate UK and industry partners to discuss the role of robotics in supporting innovation and productivity across the UK economy. 

The funding includes £500,000 for the development of a dedicated robot test track at Riseholme, alongside investment in specialist staff, technical capability and industry engagement. A £1M Acceleration Fund will offer support to agri-food robotics businesses from across the UK, who can apply for aid from HARVEST to help them overcome specific challenges that would otherwise prevent adoption of their solutions. 

The hub brings together the University's internationally recognised expertise in agri-food robotics with leading partners from across industry, creating a collaborative environment to support the development, validation and adoption of robotic technologies throughout the agri-food supply chain. 

Partners include robotics developers Saga Robotics, Dogtooth Technologies, Dynium and JABAS AI, alongside agri-food businesses including Cranswick plc, B-Hive Innovations, Dyson Farming Research and British Berry Growers. The partnership will also draw on expertise from Barclays Eagle Labs, Agri-TechE and Bishop Burton College to address commercial, sector and training challenges. 

The initiative will work directly with robotics developers and end users, helping businesses overcome barriers to adopting new technologies while supporting innovation, productivity and resilience across one of the UK's most important industries. 

Professor Elizabeth Sklar, Director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT) at the University of Lincoln (UoL), and Director of HARVEST said: "HARVEST features a state-of-the-art Test Track, hosted at UoL's the University's Riseholme Park farm campus, and industry-led Living Labs to facilitate development, testing and demonstration for agri-food robotics businesses across the UK." 

Professor Simon Pearson, MBE, Founding Director of LIAT (UoL) and Executive Director of HARVEST said: "This funding takes us to the next level on our journey to advance agri-food through cutting-edge robotic solutions, securing support for businesses to overcome technical, commercial, regulatory and workforce challenges by working with the LIAT team and key industry representatives. We welcome the opportunity to lead this sector into the exciting future of food." 

The award recognises many years of research, collaboration and investment in robotics at the University of Lincoln, further cementing its position as a national leader in agri-food innovation.