iRTA
H2020 ESMERA Open Call
intelligent Robotic high-precision Treatment Application in rough terrain vineyards

In General
iRTA aims to build a smart spraying apparatus tailored to the intricacies of treatment application in rough and steep slope terrains and on cultivations of high variability between plants, as is the grape. To achieve this, iRTA will combine state-of-the-art technologies with features that fully adhere to the requirements of the usage setting and integrate them into a flexible robotic platform. Namely, iRTA will augment the robotic platform with sophisticated software for autonomous localisation, navigation and obstacle avoidance, in order to enhance its traversability and ensure its safe operation in rough environments. The platform will be equipped with a high-precision, low-drift spraying component, further improved by the incorporation of advanced Artificial Intelligence models for optimising treatment usage. The base platform itself will undergo improvements for increasing its efficiency and operational capacity. The produced integrated platform will be tested in both simulated and on-ground settings, to ensure that it meets the requirements posed by the tackled challenge.
More Information
iRTA will combine cutting-edge robotic technologies, such as the capability of autonomous navigation in the vineyard, flexibility for avoidance of obstacles, high precision spraying technologies and on-board artificial intelligence component for the treatment of individual and/or specific parts of the vineyards according to their needs. The proposed iRTA platform takes into account all the features generally expected from a real-life operational system to be efficient and effective. Thus, it incorporates machinery and software that enables safe and resource-preserving navigation, as well as, customisable, targeted treatment application at fine granularity. Also iRTA will develop an autonomous situational awareness, localization, and navigation system, allowing the robot to plan and implement an optimal path and to safely operate in the presence of human workers, livestock, and wildlife. The robot ecosystem of robotics software components includes mature, production-grade navigation components that have been successfully deployed in many environments and applications. The introduction and widespread adoption of robotic solutions like iRTA will profoundly improve the management of agricultural processes and pave the way for the development of sustainable, high-intensity crop production systems. As an advanced robotic platform for effective treatment application in the field, iRTA empowers farmers with a robust technological solution, helping them to deliver safe, high-quality food while minimizing the impact on natural resources (by reducing chemical contamination of natural resources and minimizing soil compaction in agricultural land), mitigating climate change (by reducing fossil fuel consumption) and contributing to public health (by minimizing pesticide residues and by promoting safe working conditions for farmers). In parallel with technological advancements, the project will ensure that the iRTA solution has the appropriate visibility in relevant stakeholder communities and raise awareness for the product in carefully targeted markets. It will thus form the foundation for a successful commercialisation and lay out the plan for the sustainability of the platform after the end of the project.
AGENSO Contribution
AGENSO is leader at five tasks related to the iRTA architectural design & integration plan, the development of the platform, the dissemination of the project and the commercialisation, business plan and publicity activities. Except from these, AGENSO contributes also at all the other tasks.
iRTA Basics
Flexible and modular robotic platform
able to move efficiently into the harsh agricultural environmentAutonomous localization, navigation and obstacle avoidance system
allowing the robot to plan and implement an optimal path and to safely operate in the presence of human workersOn-board artificial intelligence component
analysing plant images in real-time as the robot traverses the field and decides on the application of treatment for individual plants and/or specific parts of themHigh precision spraying
high-end spraying system, able to apply pesticides in an accurate and efficient wayProject Funding
- Starting date : 01/05/2020
- Duration : 18 Months
- Status : Running
- AGENSO participation type: Coordinator
- This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 780265
Innovative robotic platform
% pesticide savings
Autonomous components
% yield increase
AGENSO Main Contribution
AGENSO will focus on the architectural design of the iRTA platform, and more specifically will define the required actions for integrating all iRTA components in the robot. In addition, will provide all information regarding the control of mechanic and motor elements and will implement the required system and make the necessary upgrades. This will be used from all the other platform system components.
During the first phase of the project, AGENSO will identify the core dissemination venues to be targeted, key stakeholders to be conducted, and impactful scientific communities and societies where iRTA should be presented. Furthermore, the work includes the production of dissemination material, as videos, leaflets, brochure, and their distribution through various online and offline channels (events, conferences, social media, interest fora).
Based on the results of the market analysis AGENSO will follow a Business Model Canvas approach to make the necessary comparisons and model evaluations. The developed business model will be validated through market survey questionnaires that will be distributed to farmers, wine industry, robotic systems manufacturers, agronomists and researchers. Finally, the Intellectual Property Rights will be identified and managed among the iRTA project’s partners.
AGENSO will develop an updated dissemination plan. The updated dissemination plan will be aligned with the business plan that will be developed for iRTA and its components. This will maximize the project’s impact as well as its commercialization capabilities. Furthermore, more intensive dissemination activities will take place. These activities will include the participation of iRTA partners on market related events and fairs, as well as promotion of the solution to engage with potential customers.
News Related to the Project

iRTA: New research project for developing agricultural robot for precision spraying
AGENSO proudly announces that participates at the granted proposal of the iRTA (intelligent robotic high precision treatment application in rough...

Article regarding iRTA project at Ypaithros Chora
iRTA robotic platform for precision spraying in steep slope vineyards (iRTA project) was presented at the Greek newspaper Ypaithros Chora...