Sensors and Cyber Physical Systems

About the expertise

In short
  • Real-time monitoring of soil, climate, crop, people and machinery
  • Cyber Physical Systems for data integration
  • Reliable hardware as the foundation for data-driven cultivation
  • Validation of sensors in greenhouses and open-field trials
  • A solid basis for data analysis, AI and decision-support systems
Get in touch with us

Sensors and Cyber Physical Systems enable the transition to data-driven production. Wageningen University & Research (WUR) develops and tests high-tech solutions that help growers optimise their processes, use resources more efficiently and plan harvests with greater reliability.

The digital transformation in agriculture and horticulture offers tremendous opportunities — and it all starts with reliable measurements. Smart sensors and Cyber Physical System technology continuously collect data on soil, climate, people, machinery, crops and market developments. We design robust sensor networks for various cultivation environments and connect them to data infrastructures. These data are then translated into practical applications ranging from crop monitoring to autonomous cultivation systems.

Our innovations support early detection of crop stress, nutrient deficiencies and diseases, while enabling more efficient use of water, energy and crop protection products.

  • Real-time monitoring: Sensors continuously measure environmental factors such as moisture, temperature, light and nutrients, providing growers with insight into crop conditions.
  • Cyber Physical Systems and data integration: By connecting sensors in integrated networks, growers gain a complete and coherent picture of soil, crop and climate.
  • Practical validation: Our sensors are tested in greenhouses, climate chambers and field trials to ensure reliable performance under real-world conditions.
  • Foundation for innovation: The data generated by sensors feed models, simulations and decision-support applications. Without reliable measurements, data-driven cultivation isn’t possible.

Related products, services and facilities (5)

Products, services and facilities
Facility

RootzoneLab - In-depth insight into the root environment and soilless cultivation

RootzoneLab provides growers and suppliers with insights into root health, irrigation and substrates. For improved yield and sustainable greenhouse horticulture.

Scale system NPEC
Facility

NPEC – State-of-the-art facility for plant phenotyping

The Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC) is a state-of-the-art research infrastructure for advanced plant phenotyping. Here, researchers and businesses can use cutting-edge technology to analyse genetic interactions between plants and their environment in unprecedented detail. NPEC supports the development of sustainable, climate-resilient crops and contributes to future food security.

Researcher in greenhouse
Facility

Unifarm – Research facility for plant science

Unifarm provides companies with access to advanced facilities for high-quality plant and crop research. From large-scale field trials and controlled greenhouse experiments to studies with specific plant material, including quarantine organisms – we create the right research environment with professional support. Our experts are client-focused and combine a hands-on approach with technical expertise to ensure professional execution of experiments.

Facility

Fruit Research Centre - Applied research on nursery stock and fruit in Randwijk

Wageningen University & Research conducts applied research on nursery stock and fruit. At the Fruit Research Centre (FRC) Randwijk – of which WUR is one of the partners – we test varieties, sustainable cultivation systems, and innovations such as precision techniques, robotics, and new storage methods for apples, pears, stone fruit and soft fruit.

Product

Software for plant research

Reliable software is essential for professional plant research. Our tools support data analysis, modeling, and decision-making and are designed for researchers and companies working on innovation in plant science. Discover the available software below and download what you need now.

Get in touch with our expert

Contact

For more information contact our expert.

ing. EJ (Erik) Pekkeriet

Programme lead Vision + Robotics