VIDEOGAME technology will be used to help develop the perfect potato as part of a ground-breaking new project involving Abertay University and a major potato seed supplier.
The university, based in Dundee, has entered into a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Agrico UK Ltd, with the aim of utilising artificial intelligence to shorten what is normally a lengthy and complicated process.
It takes more than 10-years to develop new breeds of potato with disease resistance, tolerance to heat and drought and, importantly, taste among the factors taken into consideration.
READ MORE: University to remove fossil fuel firms from investment portfolio
It’s hoped the £118,000 project, funded by Innovate UK and the Scottish Funding Council, will devise screening techniques that will help select potatoes with clear consumer appeal and qualities that make them easy to grow.
Dr John Grigor, from Abertay’s Division of Engineering and Food Science, said: “This project is scheduled to last for 30-months, and we are delighted to be working with Agrico UK Ltd on something that has the potential to make a real difference.”
Dr Paul Robertson, from Abertay’s School of Design and Informatics, added: “Abertay has an international reputation for its work in videogame technology and we’re excited to be able to use it in such a unique way.”
Dr Steven Muir from Agrico UK Ltd said: “This project is quite unique and uses new techniques to allow us to better predict successful varieties of potato for consumers. We have been involved in successful KTPs in the past and have found them to be extremely beneficial.”
READ MORE: How a Scottish technology firm has expanded internationally
Agrico UK Executive Director Archie Gibson said: “Integrating data science in combination with sensory and consumer science is an important part of our vision, and is key to our ambitions for the future.”
Abertay has worked with a wide range of industrial partners during KTPs, and outperforms many larger universities in an area key to the UK Government’s industrial strategy.
The University has strong links with the food and drink industry, and the expertise of its academic staff is highly sought after by industry, professionals and the academic community.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here