# Episode Nineteen: Roopika Ravikanna

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2022-09-30
- Length: 19m
- Episode: 19
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna

## Summary

Roopika Ravikanna, a PhD student at the University of Lincoln, discusses her research on autonomous agricultural robots, specifically the modular 'Thorvald' system developed with Saga Robotics. She explains how the robot assists farm workers in horticulture environments by navigating complex obstacles and avoiding soil compaction, while addressing human-robot interaction challenges like proximity and intuitive control. Ravikanna highlights that these cobots are designed to alleviate labor shortages rather than replace workers, with current deployments already underway at commercial sites like Clockhouse Farm.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna#t=7) Introduction and Podcast Format Change
- [2:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna#t=166) Challenges of Farm Robotics: Terrain and Soil Compaction
- [5:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna#t=326) Navigating Polytunnels vs. Open Fields
- [7:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna#t=472) Thorvald: Modular Design and Capabilities
- [10:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna#t=623) Commercial Deployment and Labor Shortages
- [13:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna#t=819) Human-Robot Interaction and Safety
- [16:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-09-30-episode-nineteen-roopika-ravikanna#t=960) Future Control Interfaces and Humanization

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Thorvald (product)
- Saga Robotics (company)
- University of Lincoln (company)
- Clockhouse Farm (company)
- UK Robotics (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Farmer-First Future: Agtonomy's Approach to Smart Agriculture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-07-01-farmer-first-future-agtonomys-approach-to-smart-agriculture) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Practical Applications of Embodied AI and Humanoid Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-10-23-practical-applications-of-embodied-ai-and-humanoid-robots) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Anders Beck introduces the UR20; California bans autonomous tractors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2022-06-24-anders-beck-introduces-the-ur20-california-bans-autonomous-tractors) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [FIRA 2025 Ag robotics recap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2025-10-24-fira-2025-ag-robotics-recap) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [47. Robotic Farming Makes Produce Better & Cheaper](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-12-07-47-robotic-farming-makes-produce-better-cheaper) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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