© Fogelina Cuperus
Robotic Intercropping is developing the next generation of sustainable farming.
Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the project brings together researchers in robotics, ecology, agronomy, engineering and data science to co-design lightweight autonomous robots for diverse intercropping systems. Together, we aim to help farmers produce food more sustainably while enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health and increasing the resilience of agricultural systems.
Our Vision
Today, much of modern agriculture relies on large machinery operating monoculture fields. We believe the farms of tomorrow will combine lightweight autonomous robots working alongside farmers and ecological farming.
These robots will help manage diverse intercropping systems that combine cash and service crops to improve biodiversity, soil health and resilience while maintaining productivity.
By bringing together robotics and agricultural science, the Robotic Intercropping project aims to make these farming systems practical on a large scale.
Watch the short video below to learn more about our vision and approach.
The project in short
© Javiera Patricia Aravena-Calvo
Key Challenges
Intercropping offers significant environmental benefits, but it also presents unique challenges. The RIC project addresses four key challenges to help make these systems practical and scalable.
Complex field operations
Growing different crops together requires more sophisticated management than conventional monocultures. Sowing, weeding and harvesting must be adapted to crops that grow at different rates, heights and locations within the same field.
Competition between crops
Cash and service crops share essential resources such as light, water and nutrients. The challenge is to balance this competition so that crop productivity is maintained while maximizing ecosystem services such as improved soil health and biodiversity.
Technology limitations
Most agricultural machinery has been developed for large-scale monocultures. Intercropping requires more precise, flexible and intelligent technologies, making advances in robotics, sensing and automation essential.
Balancing productivity and sustainability
Intercropping can suppress weeds, reduce nitrate leaching and enhance biodiversity, but these environmental benefits must be balanced with maintaining reliable crop yields and practical farm management.
© Dirk van Apeldoorn
© Dirk van Apeldoorn
© Dirk van Apeldoorn
Focus Areas
Our research is organised into five interconnected scientific areas and one societal impact area that together develop, test and translate robotic intercropping solutions into practice.
Area 1- Agro-Ecological Potential
Understanding how different crop combinations improve ecosystem services
Area 2 – Ecological Interactions
Studying how plants, insects and soil organisms interact in intercropping systems
Area 3 – Proximal Sensing
Developing sensing technologies to monitor crops and field conditions
Area 4 – Robotic Systems
Designing autonomous robots for precise management of intercropping systems
Area 5 – Digital Twins
Building digital models to optimise intercropping systems
Area 6 – From Knowledge to Impact
Translating research into practical solutions for farmers and society
Meet us in our Living Labs!
Our Living Labs in Taastrup and Wageningen are where research meets practice.
We invite farmers, researchers, industry partners and the public to visit our experimental fields at these locations, where we test new technologies, exchange knowledge and co-design sustainable farming solutions.
Join us at the Robotic Intercropping Day 2026!
Join us at our Robotic Intercropping Field Day on 24 September 2026 in Taastrup to experience the research first-hand.
Learn more about the event and how to register following the link: learn more about the Living Labs and the Robotic Intercropping Day
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