A screenshot of a Wootzano video about the Avarai system.

An English robotics company is expanding to the U.S. — right here in the Central Valley.

Wootzano Ltd., specializing in robotic systems for packing fresh produce, was founded in 2018 and is based in Sedgefield, England. The company launched operations from Fresno County this month, co-locating with an unnamed partner.

It will be used for packing grapes, reported thegrocer.co.uk.

Wootzano’s fruit packing technology, the Avarai, is an artificial intelligence-powered robotic system the company says can increase productivity up to 50% and cut human labor needs by 60%.

 

The system uses a patented “electronic skin” that allows a robotic arm to calculate the force needed to handle soft produce delicately. It also uses a snipping tool to manage package weight requirements with vine produce such as grapes or tomatoes.

“We are thrilled to announce our expansion into the U.S.,” said Dr. Atif Syed, CEO and founder of Wootzano. “Our team is dedicated to delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving growth in this dynamic market. Together with our U.S. partner, we look forward to making a positive impact and delivering a new level of sustainability and quality in the fresh produce industry.”

The expansion into the U.S. was possible through combined efforts of organizations including the Fresno County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) and the British Consulate General of San Francisco, according to a news release.

Wootzano aims to utilize its technology to supplement the struggling labor force in fresh produce packing sheds while also bringing more exciting employment opportunities in the technology sector.

Retiring EDC President and CEO Lee Ann Eager said her team has been working with the Wootzano team to provide a comprehensive introduction to U.S. sites, partners and institutions.

“As the top producing agricultural county in the U.S., our region is a magnet for innovative commercial solutions. We represent 1% of U.S. farmland yet produce a quarter of the nation’s food supply. We are constantly searching for cutting-edge technologies to meet industry demands and provide solutions to upskill labor and enhance productivity,” Eager said.