when: Wednesday 24th September 2025, 10am-4pm
where: University of Lincoln, Riseholme Campus
A Knowledge Exchange event in collaboration with the Agri-Robotics Regulatory Network (ARRNet), funded by Innovate UK

The ARRNet project is focused on addressing barriers to adoption of robotics in agricultural environments. This includes advancing standards for safety and performance metrics, drawing on the extensive literature and industry experience in related fields (e.g. agricultural machinery that is not robotic, robotic automation in factories, etc.). We are keen to engage with the wider community that spans commercial growers, robotics/technology developers, investors, funders, policy experts and others, to learn from our colleagues, ensure that we are not re-inventing the wheel and provide a valuable service back to the community.

Bring your robots and try in-field test scenarios to assess safety and performance factors! We have outlined 9 sample tests (see below) which cover a range of aspects of in-field agricultural robotics–a small sample of what is needed in the long term. We invite participants to bring their robots and try running any tests: Select the tests that are relevant for your robot. A number of small prizes will be awarded to robots (and handlers) that successfully complete tests. Afterwards, we will ask for your feedback on the tests.

• Details of test scenarios are posted below.
• Pick and choose which scenarios are right for you:
• Unmanned Ground-based Vehicle Control
• Robotic Vision
• Safety in Human-Robot Environments
• Robotic Manipulation
• Environments include:
• Controlled environment (e.g. Polytunnel)
• Uncontrolled environment (e.g. vegetable garden)

Register for this event here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/working-robots-day-tickets-1558928780949?aff=oddtdtcreator

The 9 sample tests:

• Category: Unmanned Ground-based Vehicle Control
  Tests to be conducted in the following sequence (i.e. you must pass 1st test before going on to 2nd, etc.):
  1. UGV Manual Control Test
  2. UGV Stability Test
  3. UGV Turn Test
• Category: Robotic Vision
  • UGV Image Data Collection Test
• Category: Safety in Human-Robot Environments
  Tests to be conducted in the following sequence (i.e. you must pass 1st test before going on to 2nd, etc.):
  1. HRI Off-line Detection and Tracking Test
  2. HRI Live Detection Test
  3. Safety Stopping and Collision Avoidance Test
• Category: Robotic Manipulation
  Tests to be conducted in any order (i.e. you can attempt either or both tests):
  • Robot Arm Rigid Body Grasping Test
  • Robot Arm Soft Hanging Fruit Test

Contact:
For further information or questions, please email:
Emma Vincent (EVincent@lincoln.ac.uk)