Physical services
Overview
Optronia, an Austrian SME under Spray Logics, developer of the SprayLogix brand, is advancing precision agriculture through innovative optical sensing technologies for real-time weed detection and targeted spraying.
Through agrifoodTEF and its Austrian Node in cooperation with Josephinum Research, the company has successfully tested and validated its AI-driven spot-spraying system under real-world agricultural conditions, for a collaboration that exemplifies the role of TEF infrastructures in supporting the de-risking and maturation of deep-tech solutions for the agrifood sector.
Impact
The validation activities conducted within the agrifoodTEF framework, in cooperation with Josephinum Research, provided robust third-party assessment of system performance under diverse agricultural conditions. This structured testing environment ensured independent verification of accuracy, operational safety, and consistency.
Results from the validation process confirm a reduction in chemical usage of more than 90%, demonstrating the strong environmental potential of the technology. The system also proved capable of maintaining high performance and operational reliability even at speeds of up to 30 km/h under real field conditions.
In addition, the solution contributes to improved operational efficiency and enhanced safety for operators. Its scalability and adaptability support deployment across different crops, terrains, and machinery configurations, reinforcing its potential for wider adoption.
This case highlights the added value of TEF infrastructures, and in particular agrifoodTEF’s applied testing capabilities, in accelerating the validation and market readiness of European agri-tech innovations, enabling a more sustainable and data-driven transformation of the agricultural sector.
The Challenge
The agricultural sector is increasingly required to reconcile productivity and competitiveness with stringent environmental and regulatory constraints, particularly regarding the reduction of chemical inputs. At the same time, farmers need solutions that can be integrated into existing machinery and operational workflows without requiring substantial changes or additional complexity.
Against this backdrop, there is a clear demand for scalable technologies capable of delivering high precision in field operations while supporting biodiversity preservation and cost efficiency.
The Solution
Optronia has developed an AI-based optical sensing system that enables real-time differentiation between soil and vegetation using near-infrared technology. The solution allows for highly targeted weed detection and precise spray application, ensuring compatibility with standard agricultural machinery and enabling seamless integration into existing farming practices.
The system is designed to be retrofit-friendly and minimally disruptive, supporting farmers in improving operational efficiency while maintaining established workflows. It operates effectively under real field conditions and at operational speeds of up to 30 km/h.
