Innovations for smart agriculture – South Tyrol News

From: Ivd

Pfatten – Laimburg Integrated Digital Orchard – is the digital outdoor laboratory of the Laimburg experimental center. It offers companies, start-ups and research institutions the opportunity to test, validate and develop sensors, robots and prototypes for the agriculture of the future. At the open day on October 15, 2024, 14 partners, including companies and universities, presented their innovative technologies. The focus is on computer vision systems and so-called dendrometers for monitoring fruit growth. Founded in 2023, the LIDO network now includes 30 local and international partners who use this platform to further develop their technologies.

In recent years, digitalization and innovation have become an integral part of agricultural practice. In the future, technological applications in agriculture will continue to increase and become more diverse. Evidence of this is the large number of companies, start-ups and universities from different parts of Europe and the world that gathered at the Laimburg Experimental Center on October 15, 2024 for the LIDO – Laimburg Integrated Digital Orchard – open day.

During the welcome, the State Councilor for Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism, Luis Walcher, emphasized the importance of technological development and digitalization in agriculture: “With this outdoor laboratory at the Laimburg Test Center, South Tyrol is positioning itself at the forefront of agricultural innovation.” In order to meet the challenges of In order to address climate change, the increasingly scarce resources of soil and water, and the need for sustainable plant protection, new technologies must be constantly updated and validated. LIDO not only offers companies and research institutions the opportunity to test their new developments under real conditions, but it also serves as a demonstration facility where our farmers can get to know these technologies and see them with their own eyes.”

As part of the event, 14 partners had the opportunity to present their technologies and prototypes tested in LIDO. “The LIDO Open Day is a unique opportunity for everyone who is involved in technological innovations in agriculture to gain new insights and exchange ideas,” said Walter Guerra, head of the Institute for Fruit and Viticulture at the Laimburg Experimental Center and LIDO -Coordinator. “Events like this enable us researchers to get in direct contact with companies and start-ups and to discuss the visions and future developments of smart farming together,” added Elias Holzknecht, research associate in the “Pomology” working group at the Laimburg Experimental Center.

Dendrometers and computer vision systems

After the first edition of Open Day LIDO in 2023, which focused on irrigation and drought stress, dendrometers and computer vision systems were the focus of the event in 2024. According to the manufacturer, dendrometers are useful tools for continuously recording the growth and development of fruits on trees. Computer vision systems, on the other hand, use cameras and sensors to collect data about orchard productivity and predict yields.

For example, technologies tested in LIDO include sensors mounted on tractors that identify areas of a field where more or larger fruit is hanging. Other examples include mobile phone applications that allow farmers to estimate yields based on videos of their apple orchard or vineyard, as well as low-cost sensors for monitoring fruit growth. After short presentations of the innovative technologies, participants had the opportunity to experience practical demonstrations in the LIDO apple plant. 100 experts discuss the latest innovations on the market and share their knowledge and practical tips on the newly developed prototypes.

LIDO: Technology at the service of agriculture

The LIDO – Laimburg Integrated Digital Orchard – which opened in October 2022, is an outdoor laboratory for fruit and wine growing where new technologies for intelligent agriculture are tested. Innovations tested include automatic irrigation and fertilization systems, sensors and advanced forecasting models. Currently, 30 partners have installed their technologies in the digital LIDO apple facility to test their new developments and present them to the public.

The aim of LIDO and its partners is to reduce the environmental impact of agricultural practices and prepare the agri-food sector for future challenges. To do this, they integrate the most innovative technological solutions into current agricultural practices.