Leveraging Airborne and Ground-Based Drones, Canopy Modelling, Digital Twin Technology, and AI Robotics for Climate-Adaptive Vineyard Management in UK Viticulture.
Dr David Green, University of Aberdeen; Dr Riccardo Polvara, University of Lincoln; Ian Beecher Jones, JoJo's Vineyard.
Research Opportunity
An excellent opportunity to combine Precision and Digital Viticulture integrating airborne and ground-based drones, canopy modelling, digital twinning, and AI robotics in the context of climate change for UK viticulture focusing on developing a holistic, ‘digital ecosystem’ to help optimize vineyard management, and utilizing cutting-edge technology to enhance vineyard resilience, sustainability, and productivity in response to climate challenges, to test a digital twin of a vineyard supporting real-time decision-making and autonomous interventions.
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Context
UK vineyards face increasing climate variability, with more frequent and unpredictable weather patterns. Precision viticulture aims to optimize vineyard inputs to adapt to climate changes using data-driven technologies. The integration of airborne and ground-based drones, canopy and climate modelling, digital twinning, and AI robotics offers a revolutionary approach for real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and autonomous management based on a digital replica of the vineyard environment.
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Research Methodology
Lab-based work and fieldwork in UK vineyards (University of Aberdeen/University of Lincoln), internal and external collaborators, and industrial advisors including:
1. Data collection with Airborne/Ground-Based Drones
2. AI-Driven canopy modelling, testing of a digital twin
3. Climate Modelling/Simulation, Vineyard Scenario Testing/Optimization with a digital twin
4. Data validation, and sustainability assessment in UK vineyards
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Training
On-campus, in-situ, and online training activities with supervisory/advisory team to provide background/contextual knowledge, understanding/expertise to successfully undertake the research including:
1) University Doctoral Induction Courses.
2) Specialised in-house/advisory training to gain a detailed knowledge/understanding of the tools and techniques e.g. Remote Sensing, GIS, Drones, Photogrammetry, DIP, AI/Robotics, Precision Viticulture, and drone training for image acquisition and softcopy photogrammetry and practical softcopy photogrammetry.
3) Guidance in the writing, presentation and communication of a research proposal, journal/conference papers, posters and presentations for publication and - time permitting - provision of basic training in research project and time management, and funding proposal writing and costing.
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Iñamagua-Uyaguari, J.P., Green, D.R., Fitton, N., Sangoluisa, P., Torres, J., and Smith, P., 2022. Use of Unoccupied Aerial Systems to Characterize Woody Vegetation across Silvopastoral Systems in Ecuador. Remote Sensing. Vol. 14:3386. 21p.
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Roosjen, P.P.J., Kellenberger, B., Kooistra, L., Green, D.R., and Fahrentrapp, J., 2020. Deep Learning for Automated Detection of Drosophila suzukii – Potential for UAV-Based Monitoring. Pest Management Science Journal. Vol. 76: 2994–3002.
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Cox J., Hanheide M., Polvara R. (2024). AGRIDS: an Advanced Multi-Modal Mapping Architecture for Robotics and Agriculture. IEEE 20th International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering (CASE 2024).
