The agricultural sector is under pressure due to a growing population, increasing demands for food quality, and a shortage of labour. Although AgroBOTS 1 (completed in December 2023) made significant progress, widespread implementation of agro-robotics remains a challenge.
AgroBOTS 2 aims to tackle these issues through the use of advanced robotics and data-driven solutions, continuing the agricultural transition already underway. The focus is on showcasing the power of robotics in diverse practical applications—from autonomous weeding in vegetable cultivation to disease monitoring in bulb crops and mushroom packaging.
AgroBOTS 2 Projects
- Modular autonomous weeding
Development of a tool carrier equipped with various implements that can autonomously navigate fields and remove weeds. The modular design allows integration with different robotic platforms. - Sorting and disease detection in lily bulbs
Creation of a modular machine line to sort lily bulbs by size and quality, and detect diseases. This addresses labour-intensive processes in bulb cultivation. - Aphid detection in potato crops
A mobile observation robot with multispectral cameras detects aphids in potato fields. Artificial intelligence assesses the risk of virus transmission by these pests. - Sorting chrysanthemum cuttings
A robotics project focused on separating and sorting chrysanthemum cuttings to improve uniformity and optimise growth. - Mushroom packaging
Development of a semi-automated harvesting system for mushrooms, including scanning for size and quality, sorting, and streamlined logistics.
These innovations aim to enhance efficiency, sustainability and quality in agriculture. The overarching goal is to accelerate the transition to sustainable and profitable farming, while simultaneously strengthening the high-tech sector by taking the lead in emerging technologies.
Collaboration
To move quickly and effectively, strong network organisations and development agencies are joining forces to:
- Strengthen and make the Dutch agricultural sector more sustainable
- Accelerate innovation
- Increase acceptance of new technologies
- Connect the agricultural and technology sectors
- Support SMEs
Would you like to know more?
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The combined network includes a large portion of southern Dutch businesses in the agro and high-tech sectors. Under the AgroBOTS name, companies and end users collaborate on smart, high-tech, user-friendly solutions for farmers and growers through joint innovation and demonstration projects.
For more information and an overview of all projects, visit Agrobots community.
Partners
- High Tech NL Robotics (Eindhoven)
- Brabant Development Agency (Tilburg)
- Brom Mechatronica (Valkenswaard)
- FieldWorkers (Etten-Leur)
- GTL Europe Engineering B.V. (Venlo)
- Nesco Champignons (Sint-Oedenrode)
- High Tech Alliance (Schijndel)
- Blue Turtle Development (Breda)
- RapAgra BV (Breda)
Agrobots.community
The AgroBOTS 2 project is a collaborative initiative involving agricultural stakeholders, technology companies, and network organisations. It focuses on the development and implementation of robotics and data-driven solutions within the agricultural sector.
Through practice-oriented research and demonstrations, the AgroBOTS platform aims to showcase the potential of agro-robotics and accelerate the transition towards sustainable and profitable farming.
