Cambridge-based Autopickr has been recognized for its cutting-edge contributions to agricultural robotics, receiving the Innovation in Agriculture award at the 2024 Robotics and Automation Awards. The company is now focused on developing a sophisticated robot capable of mimicking the delicate process of hand-picking grapes, alongside supporting green harvesting and canopy management in vineyards.
Traditional mechanical harvesters typically shake vines to collect grapes, a process that makes hand-picking of whole bunches essential, particularly for premium wine producers. This method is crucial for those crafting traditional method sparkling wines, which require the intact bunches.
To address this challenge, Autopickr is collaborating with Coopers Croft Vineyard in Suffolk and WineGB. The project is also supported by Innovate UK and the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) through the Farming Innovation Programme.
The company is currently developing a robot, dubbed “Vinny,” designed to perform multiple tasks within vineyards. Autopickr, which previously created an award-winning automated asparagus harvester, plans to adapt this technology to meet the specific needs of grape harvesting. Vinny is equipped with advanced artificial vision technology that allows it to identify ripe grapes while navigating slopes and operating at fruit zone height. Once the grapes reach optimal ripeness, Vinny will pick them without damaging the vines.
Robyn Sands, co-founder and CEO of Autopickr, expressed enthusiasm about working with British vineyards to introduce robotic solutions into the wine industry. “Our goal is to provide a practical tool that can ease labor demands, especially during peak harvest periods, while preserving the quality that is critical to winemaking,” Sands said.
Once fully developed, the robot will be available for both purchase and rental, providing vineyards with a flexible solution to labor shortages during busy seasons.
Phoebe French, communications manager at WinesGB, highlighted that this technology has the potential to support skilled labor in the vineyard, particularly during high-demand periods like harvest time.
UK vineyards have seen significant growth in recent years. In 2024, the number of vineyards surpassed 1,000, with the total area under vine reaching 4,209 hectares—an increase of 123% over the last decade. According to the South Downs National Park Viticulture Growth Assessment Report, vineyards employ 17 times more people per hectare compared to traditional arable farming. With over 2,300 full-time workers and an additional 8,300 seasonal or part-time staff in the industry, the introduction of robotic harvesters like Vinny is seen as a promising solution to the labor challenges faced by vineyard managers, without compromising on the quality of the harvest.
Autopickr’s innovation marks a pivotal step toward the future of vineyard automation, offering an efficient and sustainable option for the growing UK wine industry.
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