In context
In April 2024, the agricultural sector was increasingly turning to automation to address labor shortages and safety hazards. Grain storage operations, in particular, relied on manual checks that were time-consuming and risky. This pilot project represented a step toward integrating robotics into traditional farming infrastructure.
What was reported
Associated British Ports (ABP), the UK's largest port operator, partnered with robot-maker Crover, along with Camgrain, Holkham Farming Company, and Morley Farms, to develop and pilot a grain-monitoring robot. The robot, named Crover, is designed to 'swim' through bulk grains such as wheat, barley, and oilseeds, enabling precise monitoring of moisture and temperature levels.
The prototype, tested at ABP's Port of Ayr in Scotland, aims to enhance workplace safety by eliminating the need for workers to climb grain piles, which posed avalanche risks. It can climb to the top of grain stacks and insert a metal rod vertically to take readings with high precision.
Beyond safety, the robot is expected to maintain grain quality during long-term storage, reduce energy costs from cooling and aeration, and minimize chemical interventions. This could lead to fewer grain claims and rejections, as well as lower labor costs associated with integrated pest management.
The project received £335K in funding from Innovate UK under the Farming Innovation Programme. ABP's Duncan Welberry highlighted that ports serve as innovation hubs, while Crover's founder, Dr Lorenzo Conti, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to test the robot in a realistic environment.
“This grain-monitoring bot is the latest addition to our smart tech devices, which include drones, wearables and more.”
Why it mattered
This initiative demonstrated a practical application of robotics in agriculture, addressing critical safety and efficiency issues. By automating hazardous manual tasks, such technology could set a precedent for broader adoption in the farming and storage industries, potentially transforming operational standards and reducing risks across the supply chain.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-04-26 · “ABP pioneers grain-monitoring robot to ‘revolutionise safety in agricultural storage’”