The University of Lincoln is addressing a significant barrier in agricultural robotics by designing fleets of robots capable of operating safely within complex farm environments. Ceres Agri-Tech has developed JABAS.AI, an AI-enabled autonomy platform that facilitates real-time robot navigation and coordination, even in areas with unreliable GPS and connectivity.
JABAS.AI was developed through Ceres Agri-Tech, a partnership among the universities of Lincoln, Cambridge, and East Anglia, with funding from Research England and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The initiative supports more than 55 agri-tech innovations focused on practical agricultural solutions with global applicability. Ceres Agri-Tech has launched five companies, generated 34 rural-sector jobs, and is developing solutions including robotic mushroom harvesting and AI-driven fruit forecasting.
JABAS.AI utilizes lidar, computer vision, and advanced localization technologies to enable fleets of robots to navigate diverse platforms within challenging agricultural environments. The system operates effectively under canopies, within polytunnels, and around structures where GPS navigation is limited. The platform provides autonomy-as-a-service, reducing the need for human oversight and minimizing setup time. It can be integrated into existing robotic systems to support autonomous logistics and navigation in complex, unstructured farm settings.
“Our mission at JABAS.AI is to make advanced autonomy work reliably on farms, under real operating conditions, which are inherently unpredictable. Ceres Agri-Tech has played a critical role in shaping that mission, from validating the technology with growers to helping us build a scalable business model,” said Marc Hanheide, founder and chief technology officer at JABAS.AI and professor of Intelligent Robotics and Interactive Systems at the University of Lincoln. “Their support has ensured our autonomy platform delivers tangible benefits for farmers, improving productivity while reducing the physical burden on workers.”
A primary challenge addressed by this technology is reducing labor pressure in horticulture, where transporting harvested fruit accounts for approximately 20% of soft fruit farm activities. The system enables robots to locate workers and safely transport harvested produce, thereby reducing physical strain and increasing productivity.
“I am delighted that JABAS.AI is tackling the critical bottleneck to unlocking the use of robots on the farm,” said Dr. Louise Sutherland, Ceres Agri-Tech project development director. “With this new autonomy, robotic fruit logistics in unstructured farm environments is now possible, helping to alleviate the labor crisis and drive productivity at scale.”
By developing and validating this advanced technology in real-world agricultural environments, the team has produced a solution that addresses labor challenges at both commercial and international levels, according to Simon Pearson, founder and director of the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology. As labor shortages in agriculture persist and the demand for sustainable food production increases, technologies such as JABAS.AI are expected to drive the next generation of autonomous farming, delivering practical benefits to farmers and shaping the future of agriculture.
