Soil in Focus: SoilRob Presents Research Approaches for Soil-Conserving Agricultural Robotics at the ”Schaufenster Bioökonomie” at Hannover Fair 2025

Müncheberg, April 8, 2025 – At this year’s Hannover Fair, the junior research group SoilRob was part of the “Schaufenster Bioökonomie,” a joint fair stand hosted by the German Federal Ministries of Education and Research (BMBF) and of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). From March 31 to April 4, 2025, pioneering projects were presented in Hall 2 under the motto “Bioeconomy – Bio-Based Innovations for the Future,” demonstrating how science can contribute to a sustainable transformation.

SoilRob, a junior research group loacted at the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), is focused on exploring how autonomous field robots affect soil health in diversified cropping systems. The group does not prioritize developing its own robots; rather, it conducts interdisciplinary research on the interactions between agricultural robotics, soil health, and production factors. The aim is to investigate whether lightweight, autonomous machines can contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices through reduced soil compaction and more precise operations in diversified cropping systems.

Visitors had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Adrija Roy and Dr. Kathrin Grahmann about the role of soil functions, the technical requirements for robots in diversified cropping systems, and the planned field trials. It became clear that new technologies can only be successful in the long term if their impacts on the environment and crop yields are thoroughly assessed and understood.

The “Schaufenster Bioökonomie” was organized by Project Management Jülich (PtJ) and the Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR), offering a platform to around 30 projects to present their visions for a more sustainable future as part of the National Bioeconomy Strategy – from bio-based materials and alternative cultivation methods to questions of circular economy.