Automation takes hold

Q-Bot’s fleet of robotic insulators is set to grow by the end of this year, which comes immediately after news of their adoption by Warmer Homes Scotland, the Scottish Government’s national scheme for improving energy efficient homes which are at risk of fuel poverty.

Ocado Retail, the £750m joint venture between retailers Ocado and M&S, has agreed a deal to establish a new 300,000 sq ft teched-out facility at SEGRO Logistics Park Purfleet.

Kai-uwe Bergmann, partner at Danish architecture studio BIG, opened MIPIM PropTech with his keynote on how technology can help preserve heritage.

The online grocer is investing £17m into the emerging vertical farming sector as it continues to diversify its technology portfolio.

The UK-based robotics company, which has developed vehicles to remotely apply underfloor insulation, has raised £3m to fund the next stage of its growth.

SprayBot fits under the floor and applies insultation without having to rip the property apart.

The online retailer said an electrical fault in a charging unit was the cause of a serious fire at the company’s Andover warehouse back in February.

Governments and industry need to overhaul their approach to employment and jobs to reduce further social and economic tensions, according to a new report from the OECD.

The need to give away information to stay relevant, up-sell your services to beat the robots and accept there will be fewer agents around, were among the insights shared by industry professionals in the latest part of our series on the future of working in property.