Europe's first centre for food robotics and automation, CenFRA, has enlisted the help of a team of top industry specialists and academic professionals to set up an advisory group to stay ahead of the game.

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has been set up by the Doncaster knowledge based business so it can ensure it has access to the latest information on market and technology trends in automation and robotics.

The group is chaired by Mike Wilson, president of the British Automation and Robotics Association (BARA), who is one of a cross-section of industry professionals, ranging from representatives of the major suppliers, from both BARA and the PPMA to leading academics, who make up TAG. The group members provide their time free of charge, and will be rotated every two years to maintain CenFRA's independence.

CenFRA chairman, Michael Taylor, said: "TAG can help keep us abreast of the latest technical developments in automation and robotics, which may influence what sort of advice and direction CenFRA gives to its customers."

However, the passing of information will be a two-way affair, with CenFRA in turn providing TAG members, who will meet around four times a year, with feedback from the food industry.

Commercial director David Cheeseman explained: "TAG is looking for CenFRA to be a conduit of industry trends and issues by following them up with the group, who can then formulate a strategy on how those problems might be resolved. It is that collective technical expertise and experience that we're looking for to work for the good of the food and beverage industry."

The company launched its new facility in May this year and has a combined investment of almost £2 million. Yorkshire Forward is the principal funding agency with additional support from Northern Way.