TL;DR:
- Wageningen University & Research (WUR) leads the AGROS project, a partnership aiming to establish an autonomous greenhouse controlled by artificial intelligence (AI).
- Intelligent algorithms and advanced sensors monitor key crop characteristics, enabling profitable cultivation.
- The validation trial involves growing cucumbers using different controls: Digital Twin and Reinforcement Learning algorithms, alongside a reference compartment guided by crop and irrigation experts.
- The Digital Twin algorithm controls various aspects of the greenhouse, including climate, irrigation, lighting, CO2 concentration, and crop strategy.
- The Reinforcement-Learning algorithm autonomously manages the greenhouse climate by learning optimal controls through simulations.
- The project ensures real-world expertise through collaboration with crop and irrigation experts from AGROS partner companies.
- The fusion of AI, algorithms, and sensors promises to revolutionize cucumber cultivation, enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and profitability in greenhouse horticulture.
Main AI News:
In a groundbreaking venture, researchers from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to grow cucumbers. The AGROS project, a public-private partnership, aims to establish an “autonomous greenhouse” where cultivation is controlled remotely by intelligent algorithms and advanced sensors. This innovative approach monitors crucial crop characteristics and provides valuable insights to optimize profitability. Spearheaded by Anja Dieleman, AGROS project leader and researcher at WUR’s business unit Greenhouse Horticulture, this cutting-edge initiative promises to revolutionize the way cucumbers are grown.
The ultimate vision for the AGROS project is to create a fully autonomous greenhouse system driven by sensor data and an intelligent algorithm, all with the overarching objective of maximizing net profit. Through years of relentless research, WUR has developed the fundamental building blocks essential for this vision, encompassing comprehensive physiological knowledge of the crop, state-of-the-art sensors, and sophisticated algorithms. The time has now come to integrate these elements into a validation trial that will shape the future of cucumber cultivation.
WUR’s research facilities in Bleiswijk host the validation trial, where cucumbers of the Hi-Power variety are cultivated in three separate greenhouse compartments. Each compartment is subject to a different control mechanism, showcasing the versatility of the AGROS project. Two of the compartments feature autonomous greenhouse controls: the Digital Twin and the Reinforcement Learning algorithm. The third compartment, known as the reference compartment, follows traditional cultivation practices guided by a group of crop and irrigation experts.
The Digital Twin algorithm assumes responsibility for a multitude of critical functions within the greenhouse. From regulating the climate and maintaining optimal heating temperatures to orchestrating irrigation cycles and managing lighting conditions, the Digital Twin algorithm is at the helm of it all. Additionally, it determines the ideal CO2 concentration to achieve within the greenhouse and even formulates an efficient crop strategy. On the other hand, the Reinforcement-Learning algorithm, leveraging the power of millions of simulations, has been trained to control the greenhouse climate autonomously. This form of AI has mastered the art of identifying optimal controls for a fully optimized greenhouse environment.
To ensure that real-world expertise remains an integral part of the project, a team of crop and irrigation experts from AGROS partner companies serves as the frame of reference. Their knowledge and experience in cucumber cultivation, representing the current best practices, are implemented within the third compartment. Franky van Looveren, Cultivation Manager at MechaTronix, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong connection to grower practices, stating, “We are as close as possible to grower practice.“
Conclusion:
The AGROS project’s integration of artificial intelligence and advanced technology in cucumber cultivation marks a significant development in the market. The establishment of an autonomous greenhouse system driven by intelligent algorithms and sensors opens up new avenues for growers. By optimizing key crop characteristics, minimizing manual interventions, and leveraging advanced AI algorithms, the market can expect increased efficiency, enhanced sustainability, and improved profitability in greenhouse horticulture. The AGROS project paves the way for a future where technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the agriculture industry, revolutionizing the way crops are grown and transforming the market landscape.
