Scientists have revealed the future of farming could involve using robots to grow produce and tackle farm worker shortages within the agriculture industry.

Researchers at the University of Warwick say state-of-the art technology may soon pave the way for automated planting and harvesting across UK farms.

Boffins believe robots could be 'perfect helpers' and help provide an 'affordable and realistic' solution to labour shortages and help increase crop yields.

The university has unveiled a Crop Monitoring Robot, called a Crombot, as well as an autonomous four-legged robot dog named Spot, which costs £90,000.

Crombot uses four wheels to navigate itself across greenhouses, can even test ripeness levels of strawberries and follow specific workers around on command.

Its robotic arm has a camera on the end which allows it to carry out monitoring duties and let growers know which areas of the greenhouse is ready to be picked.

Spot is designed to work in difficult and hazardous environments, and scientists say it has proven itself be 'very impressive' both in greenhouse and outdoors.

Spot is designed to work in difficult and hazardous environments (image via SWNS)

The autonomous robot can walk up and down steps, over heating rails and other obstacles as well as tackling muddy fields.

Researchers are continuing to investigate how they can apply the technology to greenhouses and croppable fields at an affordable price.

They say continuous and repetitive monitoring of crops is vital for fruit and veg production so the sooner pests, diseases and infrastructure issues can be spotted, the sooner they can be rectified.

It is hoped by robots giving growers the information they need to make quick decisions it will save their crops and reduce losses.

Harry Boyce, project engineer at WMG at the University of Warwick added: "Our research with Crombot aims to address growers' scepticism of new technology and, most importantly, cost.

"It will unlock the potential for adoption of robotics solutions in horticulture, and facilitate a UK offering to a huge global market."

The team is now working on expanding Crombot's capabilities by working alongside local salads producer, Valefresco, and technology developer Eiratech.

The university has unveiled a Crop Monitoring Robot, called a Crombot (image via SWNS)

This includes monitoring leafy greens and looking at how microphones could pick up on infrastructure issues such as leaky irrigation systems, which impacts the crop's hydration levels.

The university says their 'extremely promising research' has laid the foundation to explore new capabilities such as automated planting and harvesting.

Alex Keller, principal engineer at WMG at the University of Warwick, said: "Boston Dynamic's Spot robot could be an ideal solution for an agricultural monitoring robot, but further research is needed to understand if Spot could progress to challenges such as harvesting and more.

"This is why we are continuing to develop our in-house robotic capabilities, so that we can help industry to create robotic solutions that are affordable and realistic for the grower, which still deliver high impact and high return on investment.

"We hope to hear from growers who would like to be involved in this research – finding out how they can incorporate robots in their practices too."