Smart Droplets

Enablement of technologies that reduce pesticide and fertilizer use for a better environment.

The Smart Droplets project advances in a holistic system capable of translating large amounts of data into meaningful information and impactful spraying commands on the field.

Smart Droplets implements autonomous retrofit tractors with Direct Injection System (DIS) for intelligent spraying – avoiding exposure of farmers to hazardous chemicals, demonstrating a substantial impact on the Green Deal.

Through the combination of high-level technologies, Smart Droplets adopts a hybrid approach for spraying operations, combining data/AI/digital farm twin technologies designed to translate data into actionable information, and real-time data collected from field demonstrators evaluating and demonstrating optimised technologies in real environments.

With the help of more precise AI-based prediction algorithms, together with autonomous tractors equipped with sensors to detect the health of the plant in order to apply the right kind and amount of fungicides, at the right time, in the right place, Smart Droplets project expects to decrease the waste to, at most, 5%.

Eurecat participates in the project through its Robotics and Automation Unit, which develops, implements and tests the latest algorithms for autonomous navigation, localisation and planning. Furthermore, Eurecat coordinates the pilot in Spain.

In addition to Eurecat, the consortium is formed by Agricultural University of Athens, Wageningen University & Research, VizLore Labs Foundation, Foodscale Hub, Agreenculture, AgriFood Lithuania DIH, AGROMA and FEMAC.