New Itineraries for Agroecology Using Cooperative Robots

Ninsar aims to develop robotic approaches for the implementation of new cultural practices, capable of acting as a lever for agroecological practices. Indeed, the deployment of the principles of agroecology on a large scale requires being able to act in a discriminated, precise and frequent way on crops. This implies the use of a workforce that is increasingly difficult to recruit, given the arduous nature of the associated work. Also, the use of robotic tools appears to be a promising lever, which should be developed. Nevertheless, the constraints in terms of productivity, precision, variability of the environment and cultures, require robotic capacities that are still immature, or difficult to reach by a single robot.

Ninsar project then proposes to carry out ambitious research, based on the design of agroecological routes using a fleet of elementary robots, equipped with the capacity for cooperation and feedback with the environment. Such an approach, breaking with current developments, requires many advances, both in terms of the definition of new farming practices and robotic developments. The project will also develop innovative decision-making approaches dedicated to multi-robot systems, to adapt robotic behaviors to the diversity of actions required by agroecological practices.

The project will rely primarily on experimental means implemented as a part of the Equipex+ Tirrex program (Roboterrium). It will also aim to integrate other advances in the field of agronomy, mechatronic design or human understanding of new technologies.This is made possible by its implementation, in connection with other actions, within the PEPR or the SADEA acceleration strategy.

The benefits of this project will thus go beyond the strict framework of the development of innovative robotic systems for agriculture. Indeed, throughout its direct results, the progress made within Ninsar will allow short-term applications on the adaptation of current agricultural equipment and/or the implementation of new agroecological practices compatible with the growing maturity of new technologies. Ninsar will open up new research routes, at the interface between agronomy and robotics, providing solutions to the societal challenge of agroecological transition.