Our specialisms
Equipment
As equipment becomes more sophisticated and expensive, the need for efficiency improvement intensifies. Increasingly, these enhancements are data-driven.
We use our system design experience across multiple disciplines to develop precision agriculture technologies, from metering and mixing systems, novel and highly precise sensors to low-cost wireless networks and data analysis platforms.
Growers & agri-business
Growers of all sizes face the challenge of producing more, from less resources. Furthermore, global labor shortages are necessitating ever greater levels of automation.
Our skills in machine learning and AI allow us to develop new methods to better predict yields and improve forecasting, while our expertise in robotics is enhancing the automation of harvesting, allowing growers to do more with less and stay one step ahead of demand.
Agri-chemical
Minimizing waste and reducing unwanted side effects from chemical treatment have become increasingly important in the face of changing consumer demands and ever-tightening regulations.
Drawing on our skills in fluid dynamics and sensor technology, and our work in drug delivery, we devise methods for delivering treatments more effectively.
Additionally, we provide strategic consulting on the impact of digital farming techniques and the implications for next-generation products and services.
How we work
Our technically-focused, commercially-driven teams uncover novel solutions to long-standing challenges. Unlike academic research facilities, we focus on commercializing technology, creating robust, relevant products and services that are economically viable for large-scale deployment.
Drawing on our experience across the full spectrum of markets, we are uniquely positioned to design, develop and deliver solutions that leverage principles proven in adjacent industries.
By using our skills and experience to complement our clients’ deep industry knowledge, we create step-change products and services that maximize efficiency through reduced costs and improved yields.
Interested in joining us?
Tech, tools & facilities
Anechoic test chamber
Our custom anechoic radio and antenna test chamber is a highly sophisticated 5m cube. Inside, we carry out automated three-dimensional measurement and visualization of wireless device behavior and test body-worn technology using body phantoms or real live test subjects. This helps us to understand and optimize real-word RF performance of products such as smart implants (including implanted telemetry), connected drug delivery devices and wearables.
Analytical labs
Our laboratories provide high accuracy measurement and analysis for the wide range of projects we undertake. Specialist equipment includes a gas chromatography mass spectrometer (GCMS), a Matersizer particle size analyzer, a Spraytec laser diffraction droplet size analyzer, high-speed and thermal imaging cameras and rapid-development custom image analysis software.
Prototyping workshops
Our electronic and mechanical prototyping workshops allow us to produce technically credible prototypes that bring ideas to life and offer a powerful demonstration of their value. All while maintaining extremely high standards of quality that conform to ISO 9001, ISO 13485 and ISO 14001 regulations. Using the latest CNC and milling machines, lathes, welding gear and wire harness and cable assembly tools, we are able to produce parts very quickly and assemble full-scale working prototypes for testing and consumer trials.
Synthetic biology labs
Located in our Cambridge head office, our microbiology lab enables us to genetically modify micro-organisms and characterize them. Our facilities are containment level 2 rated for handling pathogenic strains and our in-house libraries allow rapid modular DNA construct design and assembly. We are particularly interested in building organisms that are biological sensors for healthcare and industrial biotech applications.
Large prototyping facility
This 5,000 sq foot space enables the development and test of large scale systems such as warehousing, logistics and production machinery, and confidential testing of electro-mechanical, high power and RF systems in a realistic environment. This configurable facility features 20ft operating height at the eaves, large access doors and mechanical handling facilities to allow heavy machinery such as conveyors, lifts and machine tools to be installed as project work demands.
World-leading expertise
We can help you achieve the impossible
News & insights
Investing in Automation
Resisting automation is no longer an option – so the attention of the world’s C-Suite is turning from the question of ROI to three fundamentals… what kind of robotics and automation should I pursue, how can automation make my business more resilient, and how do I make my business ready for automation, autonomy and their successful scaling?
- Robotics
- Sensing
- Strategic advice
Driving Net Zero – Is agritech ready to capture carbon?
The changing regulatory and subsidy systems underpinning farming are undergoing radical change. Furthermore, issues such as soil health, net zero and farm nature value are increasingly in the public eye.
- AI & Analytics
- Digital service innovation
- Optics
- Physical sciences
- Sensing
- Signal processing
First ‘Code for Good’ scholarships announced
In partnership with One Young World, Cambridge Consultants is supporting young people applying technology to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Farming gets smarter with ‘AI at the edge’
Introducing Fafaza - a practical example of ‘AI at the edge’. A self-contained agricultural precision spraying system that uses low-cost processors that can identify, classify and apply treatment in real time.
Case studies
Carbon sequestration in action
How is carbon sequestration measured and why is soil health important to us all? This case study reveals breakthroughs in soil measurement and validation.
Pick of the bunch
Nature doesn’t provide blueprints, which are why our robot system can cope with handling all kinds of different fruit – and can even sort red apples from green ones.
Better Origin insect larvae rearing
Harnessing the science of synthetic biology and best-in-class automation to turn organic waste into high-protein fish food.
Events
World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit 2024
Come and meet our team to understand more about how we work with agri-tech clients to embrace and scale regenerative agriculture practices, accurately measure soil carbon and nutrient levels, and unlock the environmental benefits of biologicals in a cost-effective manner.
Future food-tech 2024
Across the two-day programme, thought-leaders will delve into crucial topics ranging from tackling food and nutritional insecurity, to improving health through nutritional enhancement and leveraging food as medicine solutions. Expert speakers will explore the latest thinking on the role of AI in scaling alt-protein production, and the rapid growth of automation and robotics across the value chain.