An important development has recently taken place for the European Union-funded Smart Droplets project on sustainable spraying. Specifically, the project was evaluated by the Innovation Radar of the European Commission. More specifically, the technologies evaluated by the Innovation Radar are:

1. Digital platform for data management for digital twins and AI (Artificial Intelligence) models in the agricultural sector
2. The Direct Spray System (DIS) of agricultural sprayers
3. The catalog for digital twins for soft wheat and apple crops

Two of the three technologies (1,2) were assessed as “mature technologies” while one of them (1) was characterized as “high potential for the creation of new markets”.

Cutting edge technologies for sustainable sprays

Smart Droplets started in September 2022 and is coordinated by the Agricultural University of Athens (AGA). It is a European Union-funded research project aimed at developing and combining cutting-edge technologies to create a holistic sustainable spraying system.

9 partners from 6 countries participate (Netherlands, Greece, Spain, Lithuania, France, Serbia). It includes the implementation of autonomous modernized tractors with Direct Spray System (DIS) to make spraying more intelligent and environmentally sustainable.

This will prevent the mixing of plant protection products and plant nutrients (fertilizers). In addition, significant input savings will be made and farmers will be protected from extensive exposure to agrochemicals.

It is worth noting that the partners working on the above technologies are: Agricultural University of Athens, Wageningen University, Vizlore Labs, Agroma and Eurecat. The project also involves: reframe.food, AGreenCulture, Agrifood Lithuania and FEMAC.

Cutting-edge technologies

By using technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (Machine Learning), digital twins (Digital Twins) and other innovative digital technologies, data from the field will be transformed into actionable information. The data in question will be derived from two experimental applications (pilots) in a wheat orchard in Lithuania and an apple orchard in Spain. Each pilot will utilize a modified, self-driving (driverless) tractor to which a robotic Direct Spray system will be fitted. Data collected in real time from sensors in the field will optimize the technological means used in the project.

What is Innovation Radar?

The Innovation Radar is based on a methodology developed by the European Commission’s Joint Research Center (JRC). Data collected using this method is used to categorize EU-funded innovations in terms of market maturity and the potential these innovations have to bring new advanced solutions to market, based on indicator systems developed by the Public Research Center. It supports innovation by proposing a series of targeted actions to help them capitalize on their market potential.

The next steps

The evaluation of the above technologies by Innovation Radar will contribute to the greater visibility of the project’s results while it can be a channel of contact between the partners and potential future investors. At the same time, the way is opened for the participation of the project in other services connected to the Innovation Radar, such as Dealflow.eu, which supports start-up entrepreneurship.