Irish Distillers and Maynooth University are partnering on a pilot research project to develop an autonomous regenerative agriculture platform through robotics and sensing solutions, to improve the sustainability of cereal crop production.
The project will use mobile farming robots, sensing solutions and vertical solar panels to monitor and manage cereal cultivation, with the aim of optimising grain yields and resource utilisation while delivering a resilient ecosystem that nurtures soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental vitality.
Irish Distillers will support a research team at Maynooth University through a two-year bursary to develop an efficient and economically viable solution, using robotics, to support regenerative agriculture and improve the environmental impact of cereal crop production.
“We are immensely proud to invest in the next generation to research and develop innovative solutions to address one of the biggest challenges of our time,” said Graham Caulwell, head of sustainability and compliance, Irish Distillers.
“With the integration of robotics, this pioneering project aims to support regenerative agriculture while enhancing efficiency.”
As part of this research project, test plots at the Maynooth University robot farm were planted this spring, with a variety of crops, and monitored regularly throughout the summer with 3D cameras and soil testing before being harvested in autumn.
The robotics team has developed new imaging techniques that use both the shape and colour of the plants’ leaves, to automatically determine plant health.
“This important collaboration aligns with Maynooth University’s focus on sustainability as one of our key beacon research areas under the university’s strategic plan,” said Professor Rachel Msetfi, vice-president of research and innovation at Maynooth University.
“I would like to thank Irish Distillers for this funding and research opportunity.”
