In Carrington, Lincolnshire, something futuristic is happening with strawberries. Dyson Farming has created a 26-acre glasshouse that grows and harvests strawberries with the help of spinning wheels and robotic arms.
Giant Rotating Wheels That Grow Strawberries
The heart of this operation is a set of giant 24-meter-long rotating wheels. These wheels slowly turn to give each of the 1.2 million strawberry plants the right amount of sunlight. The rotation ensures that every plant gets an equal share of light.
Robots Handle Pests Without Chemicals
Chemical-free farming is made possible with advanced robotics. UV robots patrol the rows, zapping mold before it can spread. Meanwhile, other robots release beneficial insects that naturally control pests, creating a balanced and healthy growing environment without synthetic sprays.
Robotic Harvesting at Scale
When itโs time to harvest, a set of 16 robotic arms step in. These machines carefully pick only the ripe strawberries, over 200,000 in just one month. The automated process is not only efficient but also reduces damage to the delicate fruits.
A Sustainable Growing System
The facility is designed with sustainability in mind. Rainwater from the glasshouseโs massive rooftop is collected and reused. The entire operation runs on energy produced by an on-site anaerobic digester, turning organic waste into usable power. The structure itself spans 760 meters in length and houses 1,456 rows of strawberry plants.
Year-Round British Strawberries
In total, the 1,225,000 strawberry plants are expected to produce around 1,250 tonnes of strawberries every year. This setup provides fresh, locally-grown strawberries to British consumers, reducing the need for imports and supporting year-round supply.
Source: Dyson Farming
