Agriculture faces many pressing challenges today: the need to feed a growing population, adapt to climate change, and reduce its environmental footprint, all while maintaining productivity and profitability. Emerging digital technologies —such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Digital Twins— offer new opportunities to transform the way we cultivate and manage our resources. However, for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), adopting these technologies remains a complex and costly process.
Modern agricultural robots and smart digital systems often require significant investment and specialized knowledge. Moreover, many of these technologies are still evolving, which can make their implementation risky for SMEs. This digital division is one of the main barriers preventing many farms from fully embracing what is known as Agriculture 5.0 —a model that combines automation, data intelligence, and sustainability to shape the future of European farming.
A European Partnership for a Smarter and Greener Agriculture
To tackle this challenge, we have launched AGROBOTICS-DITWINS, a European project funded by the INTERREG SUDOE programme with more than €1.7 million. Our goal is clear: to bring advanced robotics and digital twin technologies closer to agricultural SMEs across the Southwest of Europe, helping them become more efficient, sustainable, and competitive.
As part of the wider vision set by the European Green Deal, AGROBOTICS-DITWINS supports the drive towards a climate-neutral Europe by 2050. Digital technologies are key enablers of this transformation, particularly in the agricultural domain. The project seeks to establish a collaborative framework where farmers and technology stakeholders can engage with emerging robotic solutions and assess their potential benefits for modern agriculture.
Living Labs: Where Innovation Meets the Field
At the heart of the project are the Living Labs: collaborative spaces where farmers and professionals will be able to explore first-hand the potential of robotics and digital twins in agriculture. These Living Labs will act as bridges between research and practice, helping to reduce the technological and economic barriers that currently limit the adoption of advanced digital tools in farming.
A Strong Consortium for a Shared Vision
AGROBOTICS-DITWINS brings together a diverse and complementary consortium of universities, technology centres, business associations, and companies from Spain, France, and Portugal.
Together, these institutions form a multidisciplinary alliance combining expertise in robotics, digital twins, sustainability, and agricultural innovation.
AGROBOTICS-DITWINS represents a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and collaboration across borders. By joining forces, we aim to accelerate the digital transformation of agriculture in the SUDOE region and contribute to a more sustainable and technologically advanced European future.