New EU network: agri-food

From June 2019, agROBOfood, an EU project worth 16 million euros, will build the European ecosystem for the effective application of robotics techniques within the European agri-food sector. agROBOfood will accelerate the digital transformation process and aims to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the European agri-food sector.

Due to the increasing demand for more and better food using fewer resources, a lower ecological footprint and changing consumer demands, farmers face an enormous challenge. agROBOfood strives for an optimal return of EU investments in agrifood robots, with Europe taking the lead in the production of sustainable, safe and adequate food. 

Innovation experiments

The core of the project consists of innovation experiments that are organized and controlled by the Digital Innovation Hubs. The first experiments will be carried out in 7 'Regional Clusters'. These show robotics innovations in agrifood that can be duplicated and applied throughout Europe. 

Examples

In order to protect people from a working environment with temperatures below zero, a demonstration robot is being built as part of the agROBOfood project: a 'mixed palletiser' that can be used in a cold store. Another demo robot shows how fruit can be harvested automatically, on time and with less manpower. This leads to lower production and raw material costs and at the same time offers a solution for the shortage of labour. A third demonstrator is being developed for cucumber cultivation, which can assess the maturity of cucumbers and pick and process fruit in a greenhouse. We will also show a drone who can control vineyards. Many more examples will be shown, both by the consortium and by companies that can apply for funding in the Open Calls. These innovation experiments are supported by the Digital Innovation Hubs and affiliated experts.

Digital Innovation Hubs 

With the establishment of a sustainable network of Digital Innovation Hubs, agROBOfood forms the link between robotics and agriculture, between R&D and business. As a result, the current ecosystem is being consolidated, expanded and strengthened. Digital Innovation Hubs support companies in digitizing by connecting technical, human and financial aspects.

agROBOfood will work closely with the broader European robotics community and aims to ensure synergy with similar robotic initiatives. This will maximise the return of European investment, including private capital, in the digital transformation of the agri-food sector.

Partners

The agROBOfood network already consists of 49 digital innovation hubs (Digital Innovation Hubs) and 12 competence centres and will be further expanded during the project. The project consortium that stimulates this growth consists of 3 partners, led by Wageningen University & Research. 

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