Agri-EPI Agricultural Technology Hackathon 2021 - Agri-EPI Centre
Agri Tech Hackathon 2021

Agricultural Technology Hackathon 2021

Do you have what it takes?

Agri Tech Hackathon 2021

Can your technology help future-proof agriculture?

Hackathon 2021

Agricultural Technology

The global pandemic has accelerated the need for innovation in agriculture.

As a result of COVID-19, the agrifood sector faces a range of challenges: How can we keep people safe on farms? How can we plug the labour gap? And how can agricultural technology solve these problems?

Ground-breaking technology is in greater demand than ever before to tackle the reduced availability of suitably skilled labour whilst also improving precision in agricultural production systems. 

The Agricultural Technology Hackathon 2021 challenges innovators around the world to hack a technology that can solve the most pressing issues facing modern agriculture, with the winning solutions given the support, mentorship and facilities needed to go from idea to reality.

Enhancing the sustainability, productivity and profitability of farming

Hackathon Challenge

The Challenge: Hack a technology

The Agricultural Technology Hackathon challenges you to hack a concept that addresses one or more of the following safety concerns relating to autonomous agricultural vehicles and drones:

  • Detecting, monitoring & identifying people & animals entering and exiting an operational field or farm
  • Communicating information & safety advice
  • Collision avoidance
  • Human supervision system
  • Security measures (theft & tampering, liability)
  • Cyber & data security

The concept should demonstrate:

  • That it is interoperable with HFF
  • That is both technically and commercially feasible
Hackathon Prize

The Prize: Take your solution to market

The winning team will receive:

  • The opportunity to integrate their solutions into the world-renowned Hands Free Farm.
  • Access to Agri-EPI Centre’s world-class research and innovation facilities, testbeds and research assets.

How to enter

Who can enter?

Any businesses, organisations and academic institutions with an involvement or interest in agri-tech can join, including technology (both hardware and software) and robotics developers, machine vision and data companies.

Team information

You may enter the Hackathon as an individual or a team of 2-6 people. Please provide contact details and an overview of every contributor’s skillset and a team name, if applicable, and read the Rules of Engagement prior to entry.

Next steps

You will receive further information from hackathon@agri-epicentre.com on Friday 10 September 2021 as to whether you have been successful in securing a place on the Hackathon.

Key dates

  • Registration closes: Wednesday 8 September
  • Teams announced: Confirmation of place  Friday 10 September
  • Hands Free Farm Hackathon Workshop: Tuesday 21 September (10:00 – 11:00am)
  • Technical Workshop: Thursday 23 September (10:00 – 11:00am)
  • Hackathon Sprint Days: Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 September
  • Hackathon Pitches: Friday 1 October
Hackathon 2021 Key Dates

The 2021 Hackathon is now CLOSED for entries

Register as a team or an individual and complete all of the necessary areas on the form. Please ensure you have read and accepted the Hackathon terms and conditions and the Rules of Engagement prior to registering for the Hackathon.

Logo European Union

This Project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, through an Open Call issued and executed under the project SmartAgriHubs (Grant Agreement No. 818 182)

SmartAgriHubs

Hands Free Farm

Hands Free Farm

Hands Free Farm is the world’s first fully-automated farm, with automated machines growing crops without drivers or agronomists across 35 hectares of land.

Building on an earlier project, Hands Free Hectare, the Hands Free Farm’s cultivation, drilling, crop monitoring, fertiliser and spray application and harvesting is all carried out by a fleet of automated small vehicles. To continue this incredible work and expand the use of automation, AI and robotics across agriculture, Hands Free Farm is partnering with Agri-EPI Centre’s Agricultural Technology Hackathon.

Watch the videos below to learn more about the Hackathon