A groundbreaking robotics initiative is set to transform vineyard operations in the UK, with over £475,000 in government funding secured to support its development. The project, led by Cambridge-based tech company Autopickr, aims to introduce a sophisticated robot designed to replicate the delicate process of hand-picking grapes, a critical step for many premium wine producers.

New technology to mimic precision of hand harvesting

Autopickr’s robot, currently under development and nicknamed ‘Vinny’, is being designed to carry out complex tasks including grape harvesting, green harvesting, and canopy management. Unlike traditional mechanical harvesters, which shake vines and risk damaging the fruit, Vinny is intended to delicately pick whole bunches—mirroring the care of manual labor. This innovation is particularly significant for producers of high-quality traditional method sparkling wines, who often insist on whole bunch harvesting to preserve grape integrity and flavor.

The robot is being developed in collaboration with Coopers Croft Vineyard in Suffolk and the national wine industry body WineGB. The project is further supported by Innovate UK and Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme, highlighting the cross-sector commitment to modernizing viticulture in the UK.

Vinny builds on Autopickr’s previous success in automating asparagus harvesting, and the team hopes to adapt that technology for use in vineyards. Equipped with artificial vision, the robot can navigate slopes and identify ripe grapes at fruit zone height, picking only when the grapes reach optimal maturity.

Addressing vineyard labour shortages

Robyn Sands, co-founder and CEO of Autopickr, emphasized the practical value of the new robot. “Our focus is on providing a practical tool that can take on some of the labour demands in the vineyard, especially during the busiest times of the year, while helping maintain the quality that matters so much in winemaking,” Sands said.

Vinny is being developed with flexibility in mind—it will be available both for purchase and rental once the prototype is complete. This approach is intended to make the technology accessible to a wide range of vineyards, from large-scale operations to smaller producers looking to supplement seasonal labor.

WineGB’s communications manager, Phoebe French, echoed the potential of the technology to relieve pressure on vineyard managers. She noted that robotic solutions like Vinny could complement the skilled labor force, especially during peak periods like harvest, when demand for workers typically surges.

Vineyard growth driving innovation

The launch of Vinny comes at a time of rapid expansion in the UK’s wine industry. The number of vineyards across the country has now surpassed 1,000 for the first time, reaching 1,033 in 2024. Government data also shows that the total area under vine has grown by 123% in the past decade, now totaling 4,209 hectares.

This growth has brought with it significant labor demands. According to the South Downs National Park Viticulture Growth Assessment Report (2021), vineyards employ 17 times more people per hectare than conventional arable farming. Around 2,300 people are employed full-time in the sector, with an additional 8,300 working seasonally or part-time.

Given this context, innovations like Vinny are increasingly important for ensuring that the UK wine industry can sustain its momentum without compromising on quality or becoming overly reliant on a limited labor pool.

A broader move toward smart agriculture

Autopickr’s robotics project also reflects a larger trend toward automation in agriculture. The company was recently recognized with an Innovation in Agriculture award at the 2024 Robotics and Automation Awards for its work in developing autonomous solutions for farm environments. Vinny represents a new frontier, blending advanced robotics with the nuanced requirements of grape growing.

By combining mobility, precision, and visual recognition, Vinny has the potential to become a critical asset in the toolbox of modern vineyard managers. As the UK wine industry continues to scale and innovate, technologies like this could help secure its future—balancing labor efficiency with the high standards of craft winemaking.