University of Essex spin-out Versatile RobotX raises over €1.17 million to bring its agricultural robots to market
Versatile RobotX, a robotics startup based in Colchester, has raised more than €1.17 million (£1 million) to speed up the development and commercial launch of its smart agricultural robots. The company is developing robots that can automate labour-intensive farming tasks and help make agricultural work more efficient.
The funding includes investment from the British Design Fund (BDF), support from Innovate UK Growth Catalyst – Investor Partnerships Round 2, and additional grants from the Defra Farming Innovation Programme.
Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier, Chief Executive Officer 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.
“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.”
Versatile RobotX is a University of Essex spin-out founded in July 2024 by Professor Klaus McDonald-Maier and Dr Vishwanathan Mohan. The company develops agricultural robots that use artificial intelligence, machine vision, smart software, and advanced robotic systems to automate difficult and labour-intensive farming tasks such as harvesting and handling crops.
The company has developed two main products: the Fruit and Vegetable Autonomous Picker and the Hydroponic Robotic Harvester. The Fruit and Vegetable Autonomous Picker is designed to automatically pick fruits and vegetables. It uses sensors, machine learning, and precision robotic arms to identify different types of produce and carefully harvest them.
The Hydroponic Robotic Harvester is designed for automated harvesting in hydroponic and soil-free farming systems. It uses sensors, AI, and precision robotic technology to harvest crops. It can also move young plants between growing stations, helping farmers improve crop rotation and make better use of growing space.
Versatile RobotX says its technology has been tested through extensive field trials with leading UK growers, including Wilkin & Sons of Tiptree and JEPCO, helping demonstrate the robots’ potential for real-world farming applications.
Dr. Vishwanathan Mohan, CTO of 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. This funding package will help us scale manufacturing readiness, strengthen customer engagement and demonstrate how Robotics-as-a-Service can provide a practical route to adoption for farms of all sizes. It will also allow us to expand our portfolio of multifunctional robotic systems and accelerate deployment across a wider range of crops and agricultural settings.”
Versatile RobotX has received support from University of Essex Enterprise Limited, which helps academics turn their research and technology into real-world products. The company has also received support from Defra, Innovate UK, EPSRC, and Freeport East, helping it move from early research prototypes to robotic systems that can be used commercially in the farming industry.
Paul Laniran, Innovation Lead Agriculture, Innovate UK, said, “This investment demonstrates how public and private funding can work together to support the development and commercialisation of innovative agricultural technologies.
“Through support from Innovate UK, Versatile RobotX has been able to advance the development of its robotics technology and work closely with growers to explore its practical application. It is encouraging to see further investment helping to accelerate the company’s growth and bringing new solutions closer to market.”
The company will use the new funding to develop its products, prepare for manufacturing, work with customers, and expand commercially. The goal is to bring its next-generation, affordable, and field-ready robotic systems to the market.