This August, four researchers from the University of Granada visited Gaia Robotics and the Orfanos Estate vineyards in Patras to carry out fieldwork within the Horizon Europe MSCA Staff Exchange project SosViti.
The technical mission brought together experts from the Universidad de Granada, the Industrial Systems Institute / Research Centre ATHENA, Gaia Robotics, and Orfanos Estate. Over the course of the visit, the team focused on:
- Measuring soil infiltration and hydraulic conductivity using mini-disc infiltrometers and the Beerkan method
- Deploying drone-based remote sensing to collect high-resolution imagery, supporting satellite data validation
- Investigating the impacts of soil compaction and bare soils on vineyard sustainability
- Exploring the social dimensions of land management, including farmers’ perceptions of soil degradation, adoption of technology, and the role of women in agriculture
This collaboration highlights the power of combining cutting-edge research, robotics, and viticultural expertise to address pressing challenges in soil preservation and climate resilience. By merging academic insight with industry-driven innovation, we are paving the way for data-driven and eco-friendly vineyard management practices.
Special recognition to our colleagues:
- Andrés Caballero Calvo, conducting field experiments on infiltration and hydraulic conductivity
- Rita Sobczyk and Ana Pérez Albarracin, leading surveys on human perception and social innovation
- Jesús Rodrigo-Comino, supporting remote sensing analyses with UAVs
We are grateful for the warm hospitality of our partners at Gaia Robotics and Orfanos Estate, and we look forward to continuing this fruitful exchange.
