PATS: Eliminating pesticides!

Project Information

PATS

Grant agreement ID: 190117839

DOI

10.3030/190117839

Project closed

EC signature date 22 November 2023

Start date 1 December 2023

End date 30 November 2025

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 497 500,00

EU contribution

€ 1 319 500,00

Coordinated by

MU-G KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT BV
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PATS (PATS: Eliminating pesticides!)

Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2024-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

PATS Indoor Drone Solutions is transforming the way indoor crop growers manage pests by developing an innovative, fully autonomous insect control system that eliminates the need for chemical insecticides. Our cutting-edge technology integrates AI-powered micro-drones and advanced detection systems to target and neutralize harmful flying pests in greenhouses. By combining sustainability, precision, and automation, PATS empowers growers to enhance crop yield, reduce environmental impact, and support global food security.

The core of the system is a real-time pest monitoring and elimination platform. Advanced AI algorithms detect the presence of harmful insects, while our lightweight drones intervene to remove them with unmatched precision. This approach is not only eco-friendly but also addresses a critical challenge faced by indoor farmers: the growing resistance of pests to chemical treatments and the tightening regulations on pesticide use.

Supported by the EIC, PATS is scaling its solution to meet the needs of greenhouse growers across Europe and beyond. Our goal is to revolutionize pest control, ensuring a sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

Impact Highlights:

Sustainability: Fully pesticide-free pest management, protecting biodiversity and soil health.
Innovation: Integration of AI, robotics, and real-time data for autonomous pest control.
Scalability: Designed for seamless deployment in commercial greenhouses worldwide.
Climate Resilience: Supporting growers in mitigating the effects of climate change through sustainable practices.

This project underscores PATS’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and responsible agricultural practices, aligned with the European Union’s Green Deal objectives and global sustainability goals. Together with the EIC, PATS is advancing toward a future where technology and nature work in harmony.

Contact Information:
Website: www.pats-drones.com
Email: [e-mail]

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Technical and Scientific Activities Performed and Main Achievements
1. Scaling Up Production of the Trap-Eye:
To meet increasing demand and enhance manufacturing efficiency, we successfully scaled up the production of our Trap-Eye detection units. The design was re-engineered for mass production, focusing on modularity and ease of assembly. In-house production processes were upgraded to include robotic arms, improving precision and consistency. These advancements enable us to produce Trap-Eye devices at scale while maintaining high quality and reliability
2. Improving Scalability of the PATS-X Drone System:
Significant progress has been made in optimizing the scalability of the PATS-X drone system, ensuring it can be seamlessly deployed in larger and more diverse greenhouse environments. Our field tests are now ongoing to validate the performance and robustness of the improved system in real-world settings.
3. Enhancing Insect Classification Models:
Advancements in our insect classification models have been a key focus, leveraging new data and refined machine learning techniques. These updated models demonstrate improved accuracy and speed in identifying and targeting harmful flying pests.
4. Predictive Pest Insect Modeling:
We developed a predictive model capable of forecasting pest insect dynamics with a high degree of accuracy. This model not only predicts the presence and behavior of adult pest insects but also provides insights into earlier life stages, such as the larval stage.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Results Achieved
1. Monitoring All Flying Insects in Greenhouses:
Our Trap-Eye monitoring system is now capable of identifying and monitoring all flying insects within greenhouse environments. This capability provides growers with a comprehensive overview of pest populations, allowing them to make data-driven decisions to protect their crops.
2. Cost-Effective Monitoring System for Sticky Traps:
By leveraging advanced AI algorithms and automated data processing, we have developed a cost-effective system for monitoring sticky traps. This system delivers performance that matches or surpasses manual insect counting while significantly reducing labor costs. The scalability and affordability of this solution make it accessible to a wide range of greenhouse growers.
3. Predictive Pest Insect Modeling:
Our new predictive pest model enhances growers’ ability to anticipate pest development by forecasting both adult insect behavior and earlier life stages, such as larvae. This early warning system enables proactive interventions, reducing the risk of pest outbreaks and ensuring healthier crops.

Potential Impacts
1. Sustainability in Agriculture:
By replacing chemical insecticides with autonomous and precise pest control, our system supports biodiversity, protects ecosystems, and aligns with the EU Green Deal objectives for sustainable agriculture.
2. Operational Efficiency for Growers:
The cost-effective monitoring system and automation reduce reliance on labor-intensive manual processes. Greenhouse growers benefit from greater productivity, better pest control outcomes, and lower operational costs.
3. Resilience to Regulatory Changes:
With stricter regulations on pesticide use, our solution positions growers to comply with evolving regulatory frameworks while maintaining high crop yields and quality. This proactive approach helps future-proof their operations.

Key Needs for Further Uptake and Success
1. Further Research and Development:
Continued R&D is needed to refine our systems and algorithms, ensuring optimal performance and adaptation to different crop types, climates, and pest populations.
2. Access to Markets and Finance:
To accelerate adoption, support for market entry and financing is critical. Targeted funding and partnerships will enable us to scale manufacturing, strengthen distribution channels, and reach growers globally.