Vision + Robotics Labs
Vision + Robotics Labs
The WUR-wide Vision + Robotics programme centralises and scales robotics, machine vision and photonics on the Wageningen Campus. Th program aims to enhance the labs to market needs by new facilities include a tele-operation lab, improved shielding of hazardous installations (e.g. lasers, microwave, X-ray, electrocution), a 3D agrifood omniverse simulation environment for robot training, and testing facilities for field robots. The project promotes sustainable production, reduces dependency on labour and increases yields through more efficient use of resources. Robots contribute to the innovation agendas in the fields of energy, climate, agriculture, food and safety. The Netherlands plays a leading role in Agtech, and Wageningen must maintain its leading position.
Infrastructure and User Services
The Vision + Robotics program of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) focuses on centralizing and expanding robotics and photonics facilities on the Wageningen Campus. The new facilities consist of:
- Lab space with (vendor-independent) tele-operation facility and remote services lab
- Lab space with enhanced safety features for advanced technologies such as lasers, X-ray, microwave, electrocution, mechanical powerful cutters and waterjet cutting.
- Lab space for food-grade automated food processing | 4-7°C | cleanable
- Lab space for fresh food-warehouse logistics & handling
- Lab space for projects (200m²)
- Lab space for vision applications spectral measurements and 3D sensosystems
- Lab space with Opti-Track system
- Test location for field robots open field and illuminated high greenhouse for agricultural machinery for year-round robot testing
- Platform for 3D simulation environment for robot planning | Agrifood omniverse
- Platform for dataset handling and AI deployment toolboxes | Sim-Real | Real-Sim
Examples/description of the type of research
The aim of this facility is to increase sustainability in agriculture, reduce dependency on (foreign) labour and secures a scalable and available food system all over the world. Robots help with this by minimizing the use of water, energy, nutrients and labour more efficiently, and contribute to improving yields and biodiversity. The project ties in with important innovation goals in the areas of energy, climate, agriculture and safety. The research portfolio includes:
- Robot and drone systems for autonomously performing agri-food activities such as: soil cultivation, sowing and planting, crop maintenance, spraying and weeding, harvesting, sorting, packaging and distribution.
- Robot and drone systems for monitoring biodiversity and forestry interventions
- Within the domains of all varieties in animal husbandry, open field agriculture, (protected) horticulture, marine, (fresh) food processing and biodiversity research
- Robot specific function research imaging sensors, lidars, safety-systems, robot control systems, actuators, grippers, manipulators, vehicles, human interfaces, etc.
- Human robot collaboration
- Worker wearable technologies including exoskeletons.
The Netherlands plays a leading role worldwide in Agtech machine building, with products such as milking robots, greenhouse technology and harvesting machines. Wageningen University remains the main research institute in this area, but must innovate quickly to maintain its leading position.
How to access the infrastructure?
Physical Access (55%):
- Lab space with enhanced safety features mechanical powerful cutters and waterjet cutting.
- Lab space for food-grade automated food processing
- Lab space for fresh food-warehouse logistics & handling
- Lab space for projects
- Lab space for vision applications
- Lab space with Opti-Track
- Test location for field robots testing
- Lab space with (vendor-independent) tele-operation facility and remote services lab
Virtual Access (35%)
- Platform for 3D simulation environment for robot planning | Agrifood omniverse
- Platform for dataset handling and AI deployment toolboxes | Sim-Real | Real-Sim
Remote Access (10%)
- Operations from (vendor-independent) tele-operation facility and remote services lab
- Data-set (containers) storage