About Us
At AURA, we are driven by a shared vision of revolutionizing agriculture through sustainable robotics. With a passion for technology and a commitment to environmental stewardship, our team strives to create impactful solutions that pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future in farming.
Revolutionizing agriculture with advanced robotics for a greener tomorrow.
- The vision of the AURA project is to revolutionize agriculture by addressing the significant energy and freshwater consumption in the sector. In the USA, agriculture utilizes nearly 2% of the national energy budget, with 60% directly on-farm and 40% dedicated to fertilizer and pesticides. In Europe, agriculture constitutes 3.3% of the energy budget. Water-wise, US agriculture accounts for 42% of total freshwater withdrawals, while in the EU, estimates range from 25% to 40%, leading to water scarcity in five member states.
- Enter regenerative agriculture, a transformative farming approach enhancing water retention and carbon sequestration while reducing input costs in fuel, pesticides, and fertilizers. This methodology embraces practices like conservation tillage (e.g., no-till or direct drilling), cover crops, crop rotation, and composting. Embracing regenerative agriculture necessitates a shift in machinery and the development of innovative practices, offering a unique opportunity to decarbonize agriculture, cut water usage, and facilitate precision agriculture through robotics.
- The AURA project aims to use robotics and sensing technology to build out this vision by constructing a robot demonstrator for an electrified and automated large-scale robotic farming system. This system will empower the implementation of regenerative agricultural methods at a cost that is economically feasible for low-value cereal crops (less than €2,000/ha).
Agriculture Robotics
Innovating the agricultural landscape, our project pioneers the integration of robotics, redefining farming practices for enhanced efficiency and sustainability.
Cereal Crops
Revolutionizing cereal cultivation, our project strives to deploy robotics for precision management, optimizing yield and resource utilization in the dynamic landscape of cereal crops.
Smart Farms
Elevating agriculture into the future, our project aims to establish smart farms, integrating advanced technologies for precision farming and sustainable, data-driven cultivation practices.
Plant Treatment
Revitalizing agricultural practices, our project spearheads plant treatment using state-of-the-art techniques, ensuring precise and sustainable solutions for optimal crop health and environmental stewardship.
Regenerative Agriculture
In our agricultural pursuits, we prioritize regenerative practices, working to cultivate a more sustainable and resilient ecosystem by nurturing soil health, biodiversity, and long-term environmental vitality.
Sustainability
At the core of our mission, sustainability guides every facet of our project, ensuring a future where agricultural innovation harmonizes with environmental responsibility.
Our Collaborators
"In collaboration with industry leaders, we leverage expertise from diverse sectors, fostering innovation at the intersection of agriculture and technology. Our partners bring invaluable insights, guiding us to develop sustainable solutions that resonate with real-world needs. Together, we are shaping the future of agriculture with a shared commitment to efficiency, sustainability, and impactful change.
Research
Delve into the heart of innovation in our research section, where we explore the frontiers of sustainable agriculture robotics. Committed to pioneering solutions, our team engages in rigorous research, pushing boundaries to enhance crop yield, reduce resource consumption, and promote ecological balance. Join us on our quest to leverage technology for a greener tomorrow, where every advancement contributes to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural ecosystem.
- All
- Agricultural Automation and Infrastructure
- Plant Treatment and Monitoring
Team
Meet the team behind the AURA project!
Prof. Gerry Lacey
Principal InvestigatorI'm a professor and tech entrepreneur specializing in Computer Vision, Human-Robot interaction, and AR. My work applies to healthcare, agriculture, and improving human task performance.
Rana Umair Hameed
PhD StudentI'm a robotics PhD researcher with expertise in designing and developing autonomous systems, particularly in autonomous motion planning and coordination of robotic systems.
James Petri
Research AssistantI'm a Robotics Research Assistant specializing in robot-environment interaction, sensory integration, and robot design. My work can be seen in legged robotics, terrain-adaptive control systems, and mobile robotics, covering all stages of a robot's development.
Edward Jakunskas
Research AssistantAfter a year in the industry, I've chosen to return to academia as a research assistant. I specialize in working with large datasets, machine learning, and computer vision. For my final year bachelors project, I programmed an autonomous, litter mapping, aerial drone.
Contact
Have questions or suggestions about sustainable agriculture robotics? Feel free to reach out to us! We're passionate about advancing eco-friendly farming practices and would love to connect with fellow enthusiasts and innovators in the field.
Location:
Bio Science and Electronic Engineering Building, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Email:
gerry.lacey@mu.ie
Call:
+353 1 708 6767