Project description
A new way to monitor Lithuanian forests
Contemporary forestry faces the challenge of having to accommodate the growing demand for timber and bioenergy while navigating uncertainties like climate change, the intricate dynamics of shifting global markets, and a heightened emphasis on forests’ social significance. Effective management of multidimensional systems is only feasible through adopting an advanced technology-based strategy for operationalisation of smart technologies which acquire and utilise data on processes around forest ecosystems. The EU-funded Forest 4.0 project has a primary goal of establishing a centre of excellence (CoE) by promoting collaboration between Lithuanian scientists from Vytautas Magnus University and Kaunas University of Technology, a leading counterpart from Sweden (Linnaeus University), and three networking and business development partners. The CoE will leverage AI and the Internet of Things to enhance forest ecosystems' monitoring.
Objective
The overall objective of the FOREST 4.0 project is to establish a Centre of Excellence (CoE) to transform the forest environment monitoring, data acquisition, and analysis, and capture value from the collected data by implementing innovations based on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). The CoE will be founded by two Lithuanian partners (Vytautas Magnus University - VMU) and Kaunas University of Technology - KTU) teaming with a leading counterpart from Sweden (Linnaeus University - LNU) and three networking and business development partners (InteriorCluster from Sweden, ART21 UAB and AgriFood Lithuania Digital Innovation Hub from Lithuania). The CoE will be created as a new legal entity and will comprise leading researchers from different domains that will implement an ambitious long term research and innovation strategy. The CoE will also provide innovation services to businesses and host a startup incubator. The impact of the project will be a rise in research excellence and reputation in forestry management and AI/IoT technologies for Lithuania; the constitution of a critical mass of excellent international researchers in the targeted domains; the production of a growing amount of research (publications) and innovation (patents, new technologies, startups) outputs; and expanding international networks for the Lithuanian partners.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
LT-44248 Kaunas
Lithuania