Our customer, renowned for its commitment to innovation and sustainability, is looking to integrate a precision farming solution into its operations, enabling it to optimize the performance of its cultivation and harvesting phases (reduction of losses, reduction of environmental impact, better management of resources: agricultural inputs, water, labor). 

 

As the solutions currently available on the market do not fully meet its specific needs, our customer is looking for proposals for technologies integrating optical sensors into agricultural equipment. Through this technology, the company would like to benefit from the following advantages:

 

• Greater precision: Assess crop health using advanced optical sensors.
• Targeted application of inputs: Optimize the use of nitrogen, fertilizers and pesticides, reducing costs and environmental impact.
• Automation of repetitive tasks: Increase the overall efficiency of operations.

 

More specifically, the solution will : 

 

1. Analyze crop health in real time to produce accurate maps of turf condition.
2. Optimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides through targeted input management, reducing costs and ecological impact.
3. Automate repetitive tasks to reduce dependence on manpower.
4. Improve management of energy resources, with optimized mechanical systems or renewable energies.
5. Adaptability to large-scale sites and simplified maintenance.

 

This call for solutions is aimed at two profiles:

• Solution providers with existing technologies that can be adapted to the defined needs.
• Actors interested in developing a custom solution, including advanced optical sensors integrated into agricultural equipment, capable of evaluating crop health, generating precise recommendations, and automating key processes.

 

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 Key Dates 

• Opening of application submissions: December 12, 2024
• Submission deadline: January 17, 2025
• Evaluation period: January 18 - February 3, 2025
• Announcement of selected participants: February 17, 2025
• Solution implementation period: To be determined

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 Objective 

In order to remain at the forefront of new trends, the company is taking a proactive approach to modernizing its production tools. The main objective is to integrate cutting-edge technology that combines operational efficiency, agronomic precision and respect for natural resources.

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 Why use optical sensors on agricultural equipment? 

The solutions available on the market do not fully meet the company's specific needs. This is why it is committed to the development of an optical sensor technology installed on agricultural equipment which will include the following functionalities:

• Increased precision through optical sensors to assess crop health.
• Targeted application of nitrogen, fertilizers, and pesticides to minimize costs and environmental impact.
• Significant reduction in repetitive tasks to improve overall efficiency.

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 Requirements 

The technological solution must :

• Analyze crop health in real time to generate precise maps of the turf’s condition.
• Optimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides through targeted input management, reducing costs and ecological impact.
• Automate repetitive tasks to reduce reliance on manual labor.
• Improve resource management with optimized mechanical systems or renewable energy sources.
• Be adaptable to large-scale fields and ensure simplified maintenance.

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 Who is the call for solutions addressed to? 

This call is open to:

• Companies: Specializing in automation, robotics, or advanced agricultural technologies.
• Research organizations: Developing innovations in precision agriculture.
• Startups: Offering emerging solutions tailored to the project’s specific needs.
• Consortiums: Combining complementary expertise for an integrated and innovative approach.

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 Requirements 

• Proven expertise in agricultural automation or similar technologies.
• Ability to co-develop the solution with multiple strategic partners.
• Flexible and customized approach to meet the project’s specifications.
• Willingness to test, validate, and refine the solution under real-world conditions.

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 Evaluation of Existing Solutions 

 

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, applicants must :

• Have been in business for more than 3 years;
• Propose an innovative solution that demonstrates technical feasibility and potential for success in the context of agricultural automation.
• Comply with environmental standards and integrate sustainable practices.
• Provide references or validated proofs of concept.
• Have a support infrastructure in place to ensure maintenance and updates once the solution has been deployed.
• The application guidelines, including those relating to the documents to be attached to the application form, must be respected.

 

Exclusions 

• Solutions already on the market that cannot be adapted to the specific requirements of the project, or those that do not meet strict environmental criteria.
• Proposals that do not include customization mechanisms to adjust to varied terrain and large-scale automation needs.
• Solutions requiring an infrastructure that is too complex or incompatible with the company's existing environment.

 

Solution selection criteria

Applications will be evaluated according to :

• Innovative nature of the solution: Degree of innovation and added value in relation to the current state of the market.
• Potential benefits: Impact on operational efficiency and the environment.
• Potential for increasing the company's/organization's productivity;
• Sustainable considerations: Respect for the principles of sustainability and energy conservation.
• Responding to priorities: Ability to respond precisely to defined needs.  

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 Evaluation of Tailored Proposals 

Eligibility Criteria

• Have been in business for more than 3 years;
• Demonstrated expertise in sensor design, precision agriculture, or the development of similar technologies.
• Willingness to co-develop with strategic partners or consortiums and actively participate in testing.
• Commitment to adhering to a preliminary schedule for project phases.
• Availability of necessary infrastructure or equipment for development, testing, and deployment.

 

Selection Criteria

• Innovative idea aligned with the project objectives.
• Realistic development plan with defined milestones.
• Successful completion of similar projects (evidence required).
• Competence of the technical team (CVs of key members required).
• Integration of sustainable elements in the solution.
• Adaptability to various agricultural equipment.
• Quality of the submitted documents (clear, complete).

 

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 Project submission 

To submit an application, please :

1. Complete the applicant form available online.
2. Submit the following documents:
   1. Presentation document: Maximum 5 pages detailing the technology and development plan.
   2. CVs of key members : Attach CVs of experts involved in the project.
   3. Letter of support from the company: Confirming commitment and collaboration.
   4. Declaration of non-conflict of interest: Signed and dated.