NPL’s world-class scientific and measurement expertise is helping the agricultural technology industry to adopt high-tech solutions, where traditional agricultural solutions are no longer sufficient, helping to increase productivity whilst reducing resource inputs.
We work on a number of projects in this area, including:
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Employing a fruit picking robot that checks every fruit for colour, size and blemishes before harvesting it
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Devising 3D imaging technology to facilitate the breeding of new crop varieties
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Reducing wastage by sorting and grading potatoes to identify black hearts
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Monitoring livestock condition to increase the efficiency of rearing animals by precise individual control of feed and tracking their welfare.
In order to carry out this ‘precision agriculture’, NPL use a variety of sensors and techniques ranging from microwaves, optical light, ultrasound, computer vision and machine learning techniques. The work is aimed at producing industrial solutions for immediate field deployment and impact.