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Versatile RobotX, a University of Essex spin-out, will use the funding to develop and scale up its advanced robots. The robots have been seen on farms across East Anglia and are designed to automate labour-intensive harvesting and crop-handling tasks.

Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier, chief executive of Versatile RobotX and head of the Robotics and Embedded Systems Research Group at the University of Essex, said: "Securing more than £1 million in combined investment and innovation support is a major milestone for Versatile RobotX. "It reflects the confidence that investors, Innovate UK, Defra, Freeport East and the University of Essex have shown in our vision."

The funding round includes investment from the British Design Fund, support from Innovate UK Growth Catalyst – Investor Partnerships Round 2, and additional grants from the Defra Farming Innovation Programme.

Versatile RobotX’s robots use artificial intelligence, machine vision, and advanced robotic manipulation to carry out crop-picking and handling. The technology has already been tested in the field with major UK growers, including Wilkin and Sons of Tiptree and JEPCO.

Professor McDonald-Maier said: "Agriculture faces unprecedented challenges around labour availability, food security and sustainability. "This funding will allow us to accelerate the transition from successful field trials to commercial deployment, as we aim to make advanced robotics affordable and accessible to growers worldwide." The investment will support further product development, manufacturing readiness, customer engagement, and commercial expansion of the robotic systems.

Dr Vishwanathan Mohan, chief technology officer at Versatile RobotX and head of the AgriRobotics Laboratory at the University of Essex, said: "Working closely with growers, we have demonstrated that advanced agricultural robotics can deliver real-world impact, helping tackle the challenges that matter most to farmers.

"Growers consistently tell us that affordability, reliability and ease of deployment are key barriers to automation." The company has been supported by University of Essex Enterprise Limited, which helps academics commercialise their research. Professor Frances Bowen, vice chancellor of the University of Essex, said: "Versatile RobotX exemplifies the transformative impact that university research can have when combined with entrepreneurial ambition, industrial collaboration and sustained investment."

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