Mr. Berendse, how long has Wageningen University been involved in the field of agro-robotics?
Berendse: We have been working on this topic for decades. Our roots lie in the automation of agricultural machinery. The field of robotics emerged from this. We therefore have a very long history of expertise. The topic is now being addressed across all disciplines.

What does that mean in concrete terms?
Originally, it was about the further development of machines that are operated by humans. But if you want to use robots independently in agriculture, you also have to consider other issues. For example, if a robot is to plow a field and then sow, the flora and fauna in the soil must be taken into account. At the same time, information about the weather, climate, groundwater levels and pests must also be taken into account. We are therefore approaching an interplay between the different areas of research in order to be able to develop holistic solutions. Each discipline on its own can no longer meet the requirements of future agriculture.

Can you give examples of applications for your research?
The area of food processing is very application-oriented. For example, we have developed a method for scanning food. This allows the quality of potatoes to be checked automatically. The potatoes are checked for size and quality by sensors on a conveyor belt. This is faster and cheaper than doing it manually using mechanical sieves. The challenge is that every potato is shaped differently. This is of course much easier with industrial products that are manufactured in large series.

And in the field?
When working in the field, for example, it is important to apply the right amount of fertilizer or pesticide. This can be controlled in a targeted manner by adjusting the nozzles of the sprayers individually. A drone can provide the necessary data. Where do you need to spray more intensively, where less or not at all? In this way, the environment can be protected.

Can you give examples of spin-offs?
One company, for example, has developed a robot that collects the eggs in an outdoor enclosure for chickens. This activity would take the farmer far too much time, as chickens lay their eggs scattered and hidden. Together with several companies, Wageningen University has developed a prototype that can take over the harvesting of peppers in greenhouses. The sensors detect when the fruit is ripe, a telescopic arm detaches it from the plant and the trolley takes the harvest to the next processing stage.

What are the next steps in the development of tomorrow's agriculture?
Indoor farming in very large cities is an important topic for the future. This is a substantial contribution to securing the food supply - with very short logistics chains. Crops are grown in completely enclosed spaces that are artificially lit and air-conditioned. A lot is currently being invested in researching the necessary technologies. Not all plants can be cultivated under these conditions.

Another issue that urgently needs a solution is the increasing shortage on the labor market. We still have harvest workers from Eastern Europe. But most of them now have other jobs. That is why we are researching how we can organize agriculture in a less labour-intensive way. We are also using robots for this. Incidentally, California is a growing hot spot for this topic. A lot of money is currently being invested in research there. We are currently exploring with the industry association FME whether we can launch a national joint research program with several projects. as