Frontier IP now owns 27.5% of Plymouth's Fieldwork Robotics and has agreed to lend extra development and engineering expertise to the soft robotic arm manufacturer.
Commercialisation firm Frontier IP Group agreed on Tuesday to take an additional 6.5% equity stake in Fieldwork Robotics, a UK-based soft robot manufacturing spinout of University of Plymouth.
The agreement, which means Frontier IP now owns a 27.5% stake, involves Frontier IP providing Fieldwork with more development and engineering assistance.
Fieldwork Robotics is developing pliable, soft robotic arms for the agricultural sector that come with sensitive grippers designed to handle fragile objects.
Frontier IP will contribute planning, design, software and electronics expertise to expedite Fieldwork’s work on a proof-of-principle prototype for harvesting vegetables. Fieldwork is also developing an arm for picking soft fruits, with both products garnering interest from potential buyers from the agriculture sector.
The spinout is based on research by Martin Stoelen, a robotics lecturer in University of Plymouth’s Faculty of Science and Engineering.
Frontier IP added Fieldwork Robotics to its portfolio in the financial year ended June 2017, however further details could not be ascertained. Fieldwork was one of three Plymouth spinouts to enter Frontier IP’s portfolio that year alongside water screening technology manufacturer Molendotech and disease control vaccine developer Vaccine Group.
Neil Crabb, chief executive of Frontier IP Group, said: “This positive development further validates our approach to plugging the gap between universities and industry. By providing Fieldwork with additional hands-on support, we are ensuring the company can respond swiftly and nimbly to an exciting opportunity.”
