Project-APC-System – MORECoLAB – Montanhas de Investigação

Identification & Background

Project designation: APC-System – Advanced Plant Cultivation System: Enhancing In Vitro Techniques with Autization and Robotics

Operation code: NORTE2030-FEDER-01451100

Acronym: APC-System

Operation Sheet

Project Description: The APC-System project aims to revolutionize the in vitro propagation process of plants by integrating advanced robotics and digital automation technologies. The project aims to increase the efficiency and sustainability of the plant propagation process, making it economically viable in the long term. The main focus is to optimize the propagation of species such as blueberry and olive tree, using an artificial intelligence algorithm for precise identification of cutting nodes, and a collaborative robotic system to automate repetitive and precise tasks, thereby reducing human workload and operational costs.

The APC-System aims to transform the in vitro propagation process of plants by integrating collaborative robotics, computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms. The project focuses on automating critical tasks of the micropropagation process, such as identifying cut-off points and precise explants handling, traditionally performed manually and labor-intensive. The solution combines a collaborative robotic system (cobot) with advanced segmentation and plant structure recognition algorithms, allowing cutting to be performed with high precision and repeatability. This approach will increase production efficiency, improve operators’ ergonomic conditions and reduce operational costs, contributing to the scalability and sustainability of the propagation process of high economic value species such as blueberry and olive tree

Date of approval: 03/09/2025
Start date: 01/01/2026
Completion date: 12/31/2028

Total eligible investment: €1,116,864.00
Financial support: €898,215.71

Promoters:DEIFIL TECHNOLOGY LDA.
Co-Promoters: Associação C.C.G./ZGDV, Laboratório Colaborativo Montanhas de Investigação – Associação.

Develop an automated process of in vitro propagation of plants, demonstrated in relevant environment, allowing to increase the productive capacity of plants.
Develop computer vision and plant analysis algorithms, aimed at segmentation, detection of sticking points and identification of cut-off points on stems and leaves in the species blueberry and olive tree.
Implement a robotic solution to support in vitro propagation, capable of significantly reducing the time of the propagation process in two cultures at the end of the project execution period.

A1 – Definition of technical requirements and system architecture.
A2 – Computer vision analysis system for plant propagation.
A3 – Collaborative robotic platform for automating the cutting process and implantation in plant propagation with sensorization and control of parameters in the production line.
A4 – Technological integration and testing.
A5 – Demonstrator and validation of processes.
A6 – Dissemination, communication and exploitation of results.
A7 – Project management.

Ergonomic process improvement: Development of a robotic solution that reduces repetitive and physically demanding tasks in the in vitro propagation process.
Computer vision algorithms: Development of segmentation and manipulation algorithms for precise identification of cutting nodes and support process automation.
Scalability of the propagation process: Implementation of an automated system that allows increasing the productive capacity and consistency of micropropagation operations.
Robot-Human collaborative platform: Development of a collaborative work platform that integrates human operators and robots to optimize the in vitro propagation line.

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