NIAB Malling Agri-Robotics Site - NIAB MARS

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NIAB is looking to develop the NIAB Malling Agri-Robotics Site (**NIAB MARS**) platform. This will be a national proving ground for agricultural robots, drones, autonomous systems and related technologies.At NIAB's East Malling (NIAB EMR) site in Kent are a range of different cultivation methods including:* Glasshouses* Polytunnels* Orchards* Vineyard* Arable landThese provide the perfect set of cropping systems and terrains for the NIAB MARS platform. Where alternative crops or terrains are required these will be made available through NIAB's existing network of sites across the country. NIAB MARS will incorporate a "sandbox" environment for robot development within these environments. Companies can locate within a new agritech incubator planned for the site or "pay-to-play" on a weekly or monthly basis. In addition, NIAB MARS will provide a structured and standardised testing and evaluation service as well as expert input on agricultural practice. Included within the sandbox will be virtual resources to support robot developers.The proposed SBRI project aims to carry out a short feasibility study with the aim of developing a proposal that can be submitted to the UKRI infrastructure fund. Initial data will be gathered through workshops and interviews with existing robot developers, growers and other industry stakeholders. This will be followed by a series of systems engineering trades to develop the user requirements, systems requirements, business model, physical plan and operating concepts for NIAB MARS.