rePlant: digital sensors and the use of robotics among the highlights for forest valorization, Ambiente Magazine

6 de June de 2023

rePlant presented the results of the work developed over three years by 20 entities to enhance the value of the forest, highlighting the use of new “intelligent” forestry tools, robotics in forest cleaning operations, new smartphone applications, forest monitoring through optical cameras, and new digital sensors and processes for data communication in forestry machines.

rePlant presented the results of the work developed over three years by 20 entities to enhance the value of the forest, highlighting the use of new “intelligent” forestry equipment, robotics in forest cleaning operations, new smartphone applications, forest monitoring using optical cameras and new digital sensors and processes for communicating data in forestry machines.
The presentation in Lisbon also highlighted four trials of different species and provenances of pine trees, several installed trials, nine technical manuals for improving forest management, two decision support systems in fire management, three new equipment, eight tested technologies and ten pilot tests, with field demonstrations on topics such as genetic improvement, fire protection and ignition detection and fire monitoring, new ways to deploy forestry, digitizing the value chain, and making production estimates accessible.

This project led by CoLAB ForestWISE and The Navigator Company was structured into three main areas of activity: Forest and Fire Management, Risk Management and Circular Economy and Value Chains.

For Carlos Fonseca, Scientific and Technological Director of CoLAB ForestWISE, “rePLANT is the first major project of CoLAB ForestWISE, and it is also the first collaborative dimension project for our forest. We are very proud to see that the strong involvement and commitment of the various business and academic partners in this mobilizing project has enabled the development of products and results that are aligned with the main needs of the forest and fire domains in Portugal”.

In turn, José Luís Carvalho, from The Navigator Company, stated that “without illusions, rePLANT is still a small step for the sector, but a great hope that the seed now germinated and planted, may become an active and dynamic forest, based on the best technical and scientific knowledge with Portuguese roots”.

This session also included a round table with the presence of António Redondo, Executive Director of The Navigator Company, João Faria Conceição, Executive Director of REN, José Ferrari Careto, Executive Director of E- REDES and José Soares de Pina, Executive Director of Altri.

The Secretary of State for the Economy, Pedro Cilínio, was also present at the presentation and stressed that “this project arises from the need to develop integrated, innovative solutions that promote the sustainable management of our forests. RePLANT has brought a new dynamic, which has been intensified in several economic sectors, among companies”.

This project had an investment of 5.6 million euros, aimed at developing products and services that ensure the sustainable management of Portuguese forests.

In, Ambiente Magazine, 2 June 2023 (PT)