Story perspectives

AI and robots digitise 70 million UK natural-history specimens

By Drooid · Sep 30, 2026, 10:43 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

UK researchers are using AI and robots to digitise millions of natural-history specimens.
The project, funded by the UK Research and Innovation Agency, will be hosted on DiSSCo UK’s System of Scientific Collections.
New funding will open drawers and cupboards across UK institutions, adding millions of plants, animals and fossils.
The digital resource will let users view about 70 million specimens, including a blind tripod fish and Darwin’s 1833 horse tooth.

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Story summary

UK researchers are using AI and robots to digitise millions of natural-history specimens.
The project, funded by the UK Research and Innovation Agency, will be hosted on DiSSCo UK’s System of Scientific Collections.
New funding will open drawers and cupboards across UK institutions, adding millions of plants, animals and fossils.
The digital resource will let users view about 70 million specimens, including a blind tripod fish and Darwin’s 1833 horse tooth.