Italian Living Lab – AI-Powered Irrigation and Proximity Sensors (by CREA)

Opublikowano:

The Research Centre for Viticulture and Oenology (CREA) in Conegliano, Italy, has launched an innovative living lab to tackle water management challenges in vineyards amid climate change. Partnering with CET Electronics, the project integrates artificial intelligence, stereo and thermal cameras, and proximity sensors to monitor grapevine water status in real time.
Traditional methods for assessing vine hydration are labor-intensive and limited. This initiative introduces a computer vision system that estimates canopy features such as leaf area and inclination—key indicators of water stress—while thermal imaging calculates indices like the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI). Combined with micrometeorological data, these insights feed into IRRIVISION, a decision support system designed to optimize irrigation schedules.
Expected outcomes include cost-effective alternatives to conventional techniques, improved water-use efficiency, and practical tools for viticulturists. The project also supports talent development by training a young professional in smart irrigation technologies.

More information about living labs and the project outputs: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/agri-digital-growth/?tab=outputs

Image-based sensors appear promising for early stress identification as they display plants quickly and nondestructively, recording subtle changes in phenotypic traits. Information derived from images has the potential to parameterize ecophysiological models and predict the impact of environmental factors on plants. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key factor for smart irrigation, providing sustainable solutions to viticulturists facing the challenge of increasing yields and quality while conserving water.