Published date: 17 March 2016

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Closing: 29 April 2016

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and experimental development services - 73100000

  • Horticultural services - 77300000

Location of contract

CV8 2TL

Value of contract

£0 to £250,000

Procurement reference

R & D

Published date

17 March 2016

Closing date

29 April 2016

Contract start date

31 May 2016

Contract end date

31 May 2018

Contract type

Not specified

Procedure type

Open procedure

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

Description

Development of a selective broccoli harvester

Purpose/Primary Objective
To improve the efficiency and sustainability of broccoli production through the development of mechanical harvesting technology
Scope
The proposed programme will cover the following research area within the context of UK horticulture

Field Robotics: Development of a selective broccoli harvester to working prototype.
The harvesting apparatus will be required to:
a) Detect broccoli heads in a field situation in all light conditions (the ability to harvest at night can be beneficial).

b) Measure broccoli heads to determine compliance with market specification, primarily in terms of size. The ability to discriminate quality is also beneficial to enable rejection of discoloured and damaged heads.

c) Selectively harvest specification-compliant broccoli heads without causing damage to out-of-specification heads and transport to an appropriate container or conveyor.

d) Be suitable for field use in all but the most severe weather conditions.

More information

Links

About the buyer

Address

Stoneleigh Park
Kenilworth
CV8 2TL
England

Email

procurement@ahdb.org.uk