Maynooth University (MU) and Irish Distillers have launched a joint pilot project to develop automotive technology within the tillage sector, including robotics and sensors, with the aim of improving sustainability of cereal crop production and regenerative agriculture.
Irish Distillers has granted a two-year bursary to the university’s research team in charge of the project, which will be invested into mobile farming robots, sensing solutions, and vertical solar panels to help automate tillage production.
The group, which is led by Jameson, champions the Irish whiskey sector, with brands like Redbreast, Midleton, Powers included in its fold.
Irish Distillers
Head of Sustainability & Compliance at Irish Distillers, Graham Caulwell, said: “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.
“With the integration of robotics, this pioneering project aims to support regenerative agriculture while enhancing efficiency. This partnership is more than a commercial alliance; it is the fusion of shared visions for a sustainable future.”
The pilot project also intends on identifying additional means of optimising grain yields and resource utilisation, without compromising soil health, biodiversity or long-term environmental vitality.
MU pioneers research in field and service robotics and associated technologies, focusing on collaborative applications designed to be used by robots and humans.
The university campus is also home to a 1ha Robot Farm and a Sustainability Research Station, which is run in collaboration with Enterprise Ireland, Comex-McKinnon and Otherlab.
As part of this research project, a variety of crops were planted at test plots on the MU Robot Farm this Spring, with regular monitoring administered throughout the summer with 3D cameras and soil testing, before their Autumn harvest.
The robotics team has since developed new imaging techniques which can automatically determine plant health from the shape and colour of the crop’s leaves.
“Maynooth University welcomes this partnership with industry in supporting the development of sustainable agriculture.
“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.
“I would like to thank Irish Distillers for this funding and research opportunity,” MU vice president of Research and Innovation, prof. Rachel Msetfi said.