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By RFF
The Smart Droplets project has reached a key stage with the recent conclusion of two intensive “Integration Weeks.” These weeks marked significant progress in testing our innovative AI and robotics-driven spraying solutions directly in real-world farming environments. These crucial events, focusing on winter wheat in Lithuania and apple orchards in Spain, brought together advanced technology and collaborative expertise to further the development of sustainable agriculture.
Integration weeks are pivotal moments in a project like Smart Droplets. Months of preparation and hard work by our partners’ diverse consortium were needed to realise those significant test events. Hardware components like the retrofitted autonomous tractor and the precision Direct Injection Sprayer (DIS) were combined with sophisticated software for navigation, perception, and AI-driven decision-making (our Digital Twins). These weeks are the first true test of the entire system working in concert, under the unpredictable conditions of an actual farm, allowing us to refine, adapt, and validate our approach to meet the Green Deal targets for reducing agrochemical use.
The path to the recent integration week in Lithuania (March 2025) involved several important preceding steps. The journey began with the meticulous modification of an agricultural tractor in France by a collaborative team from AGreenCulture (retrofit and safety expertise), Eurecat (navigation and geolocation technology), and AGROMA (Direct Injection Spraying system development). This retrofitted tractor was then delivered to our partners at Agrokoncernas in Lithuania.
The Smart Droplets team in Lithuania
A significant early milestone in Lithuania was a well-attended Open Day, organised by AgriFood Lithuania with guidance from our coordinator, the Agricultural University of Athens (AUA). This event, held towards the end of 2024, provided over 100 farmers and stakeholders with a firsthand look at the Smart Droplets system, including the adapted tractor and smart sprayer, and a chance to learn about its practical benefits. Building on that successful demonstration, the recent intensive Ιntegration Week took this progress considerably further. Our international team of technicians focused on fine-tuning the autonomous tractor and boom sprayer, leading to several key outcomes:
Our field tests in Lithuania
Following this continued development and positive engagement, another Open Day is being planned for the near future in Lithuania, where attendees will have the opportunity to see even further advancements and capabilities of the system.
Meanwhile, in the apple orchards of Catalonia, Spain, the integration week held at the SERRATER SL premises (March 2025) focused on the unique challenges of this environment. The primary objective was the on-site integration and real-world testing of all key physical components of the Smart Droplets system: the retrofitted tractor, the navigation unit, the perception unit, and the advanced DIS sprayer.
The Smart Droplets team during the Spanish Integration Week
Through the dedicated on-site efforts of partners Eurecat – Technology Centre, the Agricultural University of Athens, and AGROMA SA, the system was put through its paces. Using simulated inputs from the Smart Droplets Digital Twin, the tractor autonomously carried out realistic spraying missions – navigating, stopping, and spraying precisely as instructed, without a driver. This successful demonstration of operational efficiency in a complex orchard setting, addressing crucial aspects like targeted application for fungal disease management, marked another important step forward.
The contrasting environments of Lithuanian wheat fields and Spanish apple orchards are vital for demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of the Smart Droplets holistic solution. While the specific crop enemies and application methods differ, the core objective remains the same: to empower farmers with intelligent tools that significantly reduce pesticide and fertilizer use, minimise water consumption, and lower GHG emissions, all while ensuring high-quality food production.
This progress is a testament to the strong teamwork and dedication of all Smart Droplets partners. The insights gained from these integration weeks are invaluable as we move towards the full deployment of our pilot tests over the coming growing seasons. The ability to upgrade existing tractors with our retrofit kit, rather than requiring farmers to purchase entirely new machinery, is also a key aspect of our approach to making smart farming accessible.
The dedication and hard work invested by all partners are yielding tangible results. We are now preparing for the full-scale deployment of the Smart Droplets pilot tests. These will involve the autonomous tractor navigating fields, executing precise spraying for weed and fungi control, and optimising fertilization, all while aiming for substantial reductions in agricultural inputs.
Follow our progress as the Smart Droplets solution continues to evolve and demonstrate its impact on creating a more sustainable and efficient future for European agriculture!
