Fraunhofer IBMT Brings Mobile Laboratory Platforms to Central Germany's Agricultural Sector
The TRANSFORM project is developing technology demonstration modules to support local businesses in their digital transformation
As virtual future farms in the Central German region, the “Smart Transformation Labs” support operational digital transformation processes aimed at achieving modern and sustainable land management. The “Smart Transformation Labs” in Magdeburg and Bernburg facilitate knowledge transfer and bring digital technologies in agriculture to life. As a developer of equipment and technology, the Fraunhofer Institute for biomedical engineering (IBMT) contributes its many years of expertise in the field of mobile laboratory platforms to the project, particularly its expertise in the development, construction, and operation of mobile and modular units.
“TRANSFORM” is part of the “Future Farms and Future Regions” funding program of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (BMELH).
From the field to data analysis: Digitalization is tangibly transforming agriculture. A wide range of sensors, drones, and satellite data, along with networked machines and intelligent software, provide the basis for more precise decisions in real time—from crop protection to harvest planning. This helps farms make optimal use of resources, stabilize yields, and better adapt to extreme weather and volatile markets. At the same time, issues related to data literacy, infrastructure, and collaboration in agricultural regions are coming into sharper focus.
So-called “Smart Transformation Labs,” serving as hubs for knowledge transfer, make digital technologies in agriculture tangible. In the Central German region, such transformation labs have been established at the “Innovation Workshop” of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Bernburg-Strenzfeld and at the “Elbedome” (a 360° mixed-reality lab) at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg. They facilitate an intensive exchange with agricultural businesses on what defines a farm of the future and how the seamless transformation of existing farm systems into a farm of the future can be achieved. The focus is on the close integration of economic and ecological perspectives, the issue of innovative irrigation strategies and solutions—which is particularly relevant to the region— the further development of crop protection using digital technologies, the logistical optimization of processes, and the promotion of biodiversity and the associated increase in the effectiveness of ecosystem services.
To ensure the lowest possible barrier to access for agricultural operations, real-world technology and demonstration modules have been developed for additional on-site demonstrations, enabling knowledge transfer to the farms and providing support for digital transformation. Connecting these mobile components via modern mobile communication technologies links the various locations both in terms of technical capabilities and within the advisory process. As part of the project, events are held at agricultural operations to promote exchange and cooperation among all participants.
Anhalt University of Applied Sciences is responsible for coordinating the project. Project partners include the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF in Magdeburg, the State Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture of Saxony-Anhalt, headquartered in Bernburg, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT in Sulzbach/Saar.
Transfer of Fraunhofer IBMT’s expertise from the “BioSensoLab”
Within the “TRANSFORM” project, Fraunhofer IBMT is responsible for the design, integration, and implementation of the mobile technology and demonstration modules. The resulting mobile “Sensor Technologies” platform draws on expertise from the so-called “BioSensoLab,” which was developed by Fraunhofer IBMT at the Fraunhofer Center for Sensor Intelligence (ZSI) as a mobile working environment. The various application needs entail different requirements in terms of robustness, off-road capability, power supply, space utilization, operating environment, and safety aspects. Drawing on its many years of experience in the development, implementation, and operation of (highly) mobile units, Fraunhofer IBMT is responsible for the overall concept derived from the requirements analysis, the drafting of procurement-related specifications, the identification of potential suppliers, and supporting Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in the tendering process for the procurement of the “Sensor Technologies” mobile platform. In addition, construction supervision and acceptance/commissioning—carried out jointly with the supplier and project partners—are project-related tasks handled by Fraunhofer IBMT.
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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