If you are interested in learning more about the project or exploring potential collaborations, we invite you to get in touch.
Robotics Systems for Sustainable Agriculture & Environmental Care
This project develops and tests robotic systems and sensor technologies to support sustainable agriculture and environmental care.
It combines advanced robotics, miniaturized sensors, and machine learning to improve the monitoring and management of soil, plants, and fruit, while also contributing to broader environmental efforts such as litter collection and ecosystem monitoring.
By integrating soft robotics, bioinspired design, and real-time data analysis, the project aims to automate critical agricultural tasks like pruning and fruit harvesting, optimize soil fertility, and enable environmentally friendly interventions.
Work Packages (WPs)
WP4.1 – Sustainable Sensors and Indicators for Monitoring of Soil, Plants, and Fruits (WP Leader: Mario Caironi)
The WP focuses on the development of miniaturized and biocompatible sensors designed to monitor plant and fruit health without causing harm.
These include sensorized gripping systems and non-invasive technologies, supported by machine learning tools to analyze plant status and optimize care.
The work package is structured into two tasks:
- Task 4.1.1 – Gripping systems for stable and tailored sensing activities (Task Leader: Lucia Beccai)
- Task 4.1.2 – Non-destructive methods for monitoring plant and fruit conditions and comparison with destructive analysis (Task Leader: Alessandro Luzio)
Explore the full list of participants here >>
WP4.2 – Robotic Systems and Sensor Networks for Optimized Agricultural Production (WP Leader: Claudio Semini)
The WP develops robotic platforms and sensor networks that improve agricultural efficiency. Applications include automated pruning, fruit handling using soft robotics, and soil monitoring via bioinspired robots. The work also explores robotic deployment of biocomposite mulches and soil-enriching agents.
The work package is structured into four tasks:
- Task 4.2.1 – Robotic systems and integrated sensors for precision pruning and fruit collection (Task Leader: Angelo Bratta)
- Task 4.2.2 – Robotic systems and integrated sensor networks for soil monitoring (Task Leader: Barbara Mazzolai)
- Task 4.2.3 – Data analysis and machine learning (Task Leader: Sergio Decherchi)
- Task 4.2.4 – Robotic systems and materials for intervention to increase soil fertility (Task Leader: Gabriele Nanni)
Explore the full list of participants here >>
WP4.3 – Robots for Environmental Care (WP Leader: Claudio Semini)
The WP develops robotic solutions to support environmental monitoring and waste management. The focus is on autonomous systems for litter collection, intelligent waste
categorization, and environmental sensing.
The work package is structured into three tasks:
- Task 4.3.1 - Robotic systems for autonomous collection of small litter (Task Leader: Angelo Bratta)
- Task 4.3.2 - Recognition and categorization of different types of litter (Task Leader: Joao Carlos Virgolino Soares)
- Task 4.3.3 - Sensors network for environmental conditions monitoring (Task Leader: Marco Serra)
Explore the full list of participants here >>
Contacts
Project Manager
Smart Materials