University of Essex's Robotics Team Wins Award for Strawberry-Picking Robot

The University of Essex's Sustainable smArt Robotic Agriculture initiative received the award for best research project at the AI & Robotics Research Awards 2026 for its innovative strawberry-picking robot. The prototype was announced in October 2024 and can pick, weigh, and package strawberries quickly. The robots are currently utilized by Wilkin & Sons and JEPCO, addressing modern farming challenges by automating labor-intensive tasks while increasing yield and reducing waste.

Published Mar 22, 2026

The University of Essex's Sustainable smArt Robotic Agriculture initiative won the best research project award at the AI & Robotics Research Awards 2026 for its strawberry-picking robot. Announced in October 2024, the prototype can pick, weigh, and package strawberries rapidly.

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It is already in use by Wilkin & Sons in Tiptree and JEPCO in Thorrington. The robots leverage AI to automate labor-intensive tasks, improving yield, minimizing waste, and reducing carbon footprint, thereby addressing contemporary agricultural challenges.