Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English en
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Autonomous Sampling with Robotics in the Wild for Nature Conservation

Project description

Robotics for biodiversity conservation

Biodiversity loss is a reality. Traditional conservation methods can be expensive and labour-intensive. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the WildBotics project will use robotics, sensors, and AI to develop large-scale monitoring. Autonomous robots that work on land, in water, and in the air will enable large-scale monitoring, sample collection, and data analysis with better accuracy and efficiency. This is a practical solution for wildlife monitoring and ecological research. The project will offer training in leading institutions, equipping a new generation of experts the skills to address biodiversity loss, thereby improving conservation outcomes.

Objective

The need for effective, cost-efficient conservation practices is greater than ever as we are now facing catastrophic loss of Earth’s biodiversity. Current conservation practices, from sample collection to inspection and monitoring, are typically very labour intensive, costly and time-consuming. Collected data are often inaccurate, incomplete or subject to human bias. However, recent advances in robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have shown a great potential for offering practical tools for conservationists.
Therefore, the aim of WildBotics is to boost ecosystem conservation practices through innovation in robotics, sensors and AI solutions. Autonomous terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial robots will be used as a unifying platform to elevate the ongoing digital revolution of nature conservation practices and integrate leading-edge conservation ecology and computer science.
WildBotics will develop new autonomous long-endurance systems, improve current sensor and software capabilities and combine these advances to create practical solutions for large-scale automated monitoring or collection of samples, thus supporting cutting-edge conservation research. WildBotics will expand current computer vision capabilities in ecology, create practical solutions for monitoring wildlife populations and ecosystems, and offer effective and automated means of gathering and interpreting samples.
These challenges will be solved by 12 PhD candidates hosted in 12 recognized and interdisciplinary organizations. A multifaceted research training programme has been designed to educate a new generation of PhDs and provide them with a unique skill set enabling them to tackle the great challenges we face to mitigate the decline of global biodiversity. WildBotics will raise the level of excellence in doctoral programs and simultaneously enhance the career perspectives of the PhDs in both academia and industry.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN - HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

FONDAZIONE BRUNO KESSLER
Net EU contribution
€ 563 510,16
Address
VIA SANTA CROCE 77
38122 Trento
Italy
Region
Nord-Est Provincia Autonoma di Trento Trento
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (11)

Partners (9)