The funding will enable OAL to implement a comprehensive five-year initiative aimed at facilitating the commercial introduction of fenceless robotics. These innovative compact robotic systems are engineered to function alongside human workers on production lines without the need for traditional enclosures.
Currently, approximately 430,000 individuals are engaged in the UK food manufacturing industry, with numerous roles consisting of repetitive manual tasks, making it challenging for companies to attract and retain staff. According to estimates from OAL, there are over 100,000 positions that manufacturers frequently find difficult to fill.
Despite facing these challenges, OAL points out that food production facilities are still much less automated compared to other sectors, largely because conventional industrial robots tend to be too bulky, intricate, or hard to integrate into existing production setups that often have limited space.
OAL asserts that their fenceless robotics solution allows for the seamless retrofitting of these systems onto current production lines, eliminating the need for significant alterations to factory layouts. By automating tasks like pick and place handling and palletizing, OAL believes manufacturers can improve efficiency, precision, and safety, thereby freeing up operators to concentrate on higher-value activities.
“Labour continues to present one of the major structural challenges in food manufacturing, yet traditional automation remains too large or rigid to respond effectively to evolving demands—whether driven by consumers or retailers,” noted Jake Norman, managing director of OAL.
“Fenceless robotics directly addresses this issue. Our technology can be swiftly implemented in spaces with constraints to automate tasks such as pick and place and palletizing. This ground-breaking initiative gives manufacturers a competitive edge while mitigating the risks associated with labour shortages. We are excited to have Innovate UK’s support for this critical project,” he added.
The loan from Innovate UK will also aid the Peterborough-based company in generating over 100 new positions in areas such as engineering, software development, systems integration, and technical sales.
Additionally, the initiative will lead OAL to establish a structured apprenticeship program at its headquarters in Cambridgeshire, contributing to the training of future automation engineers and technicians.
Since 2016, OAL has been at the forefront of robotics development for the food manufacturing industry, with their systems already operational in various factories across the UK and Europe, serving clients such as Domino’s Pizza, Solina, and Agrana Group.
Jonathan Walker, innovation lead at Innovate UK, commented, “In sectors like food processing, robotics and automation can enhance productivity by addressing vacancies rather than displacing jobs.”
“The work environment is typically challenging for people due to temperature extremes, hygiene standards, and repetitive tasks, yet it’s ideal for well-designed robots. It’s encouraging to witness UK companies innovating in this domain, and I’m pleased that Innovate UK can provide support,” he concluded.
