News & Events

The future of traditional agriculture is here, and it’s powered by robotics! 

AgRimate’s Partner, UPA Jaén, hosted a field workshop on the 30th of October, in Alcalá la Real,  showcasing the exoskeleton prototype, a remarkable piece of technology designed to transform one of the toughest agricultural tasks: pruning. Farmers, technicians, and researchers from Spain, Italy, and Germany gathered to see the exoskeleton in action. 

Addressing the Labor Challenge

The General Secretary of UPA, Cristóbal Cano, explained how AgRimate is focused on tackling the shortage of qualified workers in farming while using technology to improve the conditions and technical skills required for pruning.

“We aim to transform pruning tasks with tools that use Augmented Reality and Robotics, enriched with Artificial Intelligence, to benefit small and medium-sized farmers” Cristóbal Cano stated.

From Heavy Chainsaw to “Feather” Weight

Around fifteen olive growers had the opportunity to try the exoskeleton, brought by our Partner IUVO.

The feedback was highly positive. The support system is designed to bear the weight of heavy tools, significantly reducing physical strain during pruning work. As one participating farmer, Nuria Fuentes, shared: “Once it’s on, it’s very comfortable. It keeps your back rigid and makes the chainsaw feel like a feather because the exoskeleton ensures that the machine we use weighs practically nothing. I think it is a fundamental help in facilitating our work.“

The experience showed how technology can directly enhance worker safety, comfort, and efficiency, ensuring that skilled tasks in family farming remain sustainable for future generations.

After the field demonstration, researchers from our partner UBER (University of Berlin) led workshops on communication and training for advanced agricultural tools and conducted interviews with the farmers. These interviews explored their perceptions and experiences after testing the exoskeleton, providing valuable insights for further development.

The integration of innovative technology into traditional agriculture represents an exciting step forward for the industry. AgRimate remains committed to supporting this evolution and helping the sector meet its future goals.

Stay tuned for more updates on AgRimate’s activities.