Oxford Robotics Institute and Oxford Biology are testing an autonomous ecosystem monitoring programme that uses robots to gather information about species diversity via imaging sensors.

Founded in 2010, the Oxford Robotics Institute is an independent, interdisciplinary institute within the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, and the Blenheim trial forms part of an ongoing innovation partnership between the two historic institutions.

‘We are excited to be working with ORI on this pilot scheme,’ says Blenheim’s head of innovation David Green.

‘The estate, with its ancient woodlands, heritage sites and parkland, provides a hugely diverse environment. It’s effectively a ‘living laboratory’ where new research and technologies can be trialled and tested.’

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