University of Lincoln Secures £4.8 Million for UK Robotics Hub

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 at its Riseholme Park Campus. The funding is part of the Robotics Adoption programme delivered by Innovate UK, and part of UKRI IS8 Advanced Manufacturing Programme. The hub will help accelerate the use of robotics across agriculture and food manufacturing.

The hub is one of only eight selected from 74 applications nationwide. It will give businesses access to robotics research, testing facilities and industry expertise to help bring new technologies into real-world use. The award recognises many years of research, collaboration and investment in robotics at the University of Lincoln.

The hub was officially launched during a visit from The Rt Hon Kanishka Narayan MP, Minister of State (Minister for Artificial Intelligence). He 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 £1 million 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 expertise in agri-food robotics with partners from across industry, creating a collaborative environment to support the development, validation and adoption of robotic technologies throughout the agri-food supply chain.

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 the agri-food industry.

Professor Simon Pearson, MBE, Founding Director of LIAT, 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, we welcome the opportunity to lead this sector into the exciting future of food.”