Vinny robot could transform UK harvests
The UK wine industry is set for a tech revolution as Cambridge-based Autopickr secures over £475,000 in government funding to develop Vinny — a grape-picking robot. Capable of mimicking hand-picking, Vinny aims to ease labour demands while maintaining quality for premium wines.
The project is backed by WineGB, Innovate UK, and Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and could transform vineyard operations here in the UK. Unlike traditional harvesters, Vinny’s AI system identifies ripe grapes, picking whole bunches essential for sparkling wine production.
Robyn Sands, CEO of Autopickr, said the aim is to offer the UK's 1000 vineyards a practical tool for labour-intensive harvests. Currently collaborating with Suffolk’s Coopers Croft Vineyard, Autopickr plans to make Vinny available for purchase or hire once development is complete.