Robots and food—low margins need different solutions

Examines the effectiveness of using expensive robotics equipment in the food industry where profit margins are low and labour is less expensive than in other industries. Looks at the work undertaken at the Silsoe Research Institute into developing appropriate low‐cost technology for basic food applications. Projects discussed include robotic teat cups for milking cows and a robotic mushroom harvesting; both using pneumatic power transmission. Concludes that food production will become an important application for robotics when it is generally accepted as cost effective.