Agricultural Ground-bReaking sOlutions based on roBotics and augmented reality for boOsting sOcial sustainability and competitivenesS while increasing the safeTy of workers (AGROBOOST)

Framework: Horizon Europe — Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Programme: Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Theme: Bio-Environment
Destination: Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal
Action type: Research and Innovation actions
Countries involved: Ireland,Greece,Luxembourg,Cyprus,Belgium,Switzerland,Portugal,Romania,Spain,United Kingdom,Denmark
Call: Enhancing working conditions and strengthening the work force through digital and data technologies – the potential of robotics and augmented reality in agriculture (HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01, 2024)
Start date: 2025-11-01
End date: 2030-10-31
Duration (months): 60.0
Total project cost (EUR): 5004287.5
EU funding (EUR): 4999287.5
Participants: 18
Project status: SIGNED

AGROBOOST is a pilot driven, 5-year multi-disciplinary project that aims to transform the agricultural sector into a more attractive, sustainable and efficient industry by harnessing the power of advanced agro-robotics, augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digitalisation revealing the societal and economic benefits for all the people working in agriculture, especially women, young professionals and farmers with moving disabilities. Through the development of cutting-edge, ground-breaking solutions, the project will improve the safety and appeal of agricultural work, reduce environmental impacts, enhance productivity and address labour shortages. AGROBOOST will also emphasize on the development of flexible business models, concrete system analysis tools and training curricula to ensure the widespread adoption and the rapid uptake of these technology innovations. Six distinct and diverse pilot validation campaigns will be demonstrated in 6 countries across Europe (Portugal, Ireland, Greece, England, Belgium and Switzerland), covering multiple agricultural practices and sectors including (1) tree pruning and flower thinning, (2) mushroom selective harvesting, (3) automated weeding, (4) strawberries gentle picking, (5) animal husbandry and livestock farm management and (6) crop monitoring in steep slope viticulture. Financial support to third parties for testing and validation of technology offerings as part of the project’s funding and implementation strategy will be awarded through an Open Call, enabling a dynamic response to a changing policy and technology landscape. Through the engagement of a diverse range of stakeholders e.g., farmers (young and women), farm workers, advisors, technology providers and scientists in decision-making processes and the incorporation of social sciences perspectives, AGROBOOST will create a more inclusive and forward-looking agricultural landscape, securing a promising and sustainable future for farming.

Keywords: robotics,augmented reality,artificial intelligence,automation,digitalisation,sustainable agriculture,enhanced working conditions,training activities,safety,multi actor approach