Smart robots in the forest – this is how the forestry of the future will be greener

The aim of the now-launched cooperation is to develop autonomous, self-operating forestry robots that contribute to the automation and modernization of forestry work processes. The new technologies serve to reduce the traditional manual labor load and to establish sustainable and modern forest management. Our company, consisting of young researchers, is developing a visual navigation model that is also considered a curiosity on an international level, with the help of which our robots will easily find their way in difficult conditions, in areas covered with forest and undergrowth, said Márk Czimber, CEO of SatiNav Robotics. According to the cooperation agreement signed with the University of Sopron, they are now working on so-called modular robots. They will be built from separate, interchangeable units (modules), which can be easily detached and replaced according to the forestry task.

This design allows for flexibility, customization and easy expansion. The development of such devices is necessitated by the growing social and economic demand for sustainable technologies, as well as the challenges posed by climate change and environmental erosion. “The University of Sopron has a research community with outstanding expertise and modern infrastructure in the fields of drone technology, remote sensing and digital forestry. These competencies are essential for the research and development project implemented within the framework of the cooperation to be truly successful. The research capacities of our university and the professional preparedness of the staff ensure that the development of forestry robotics will bring measurable scientific and market results at an international level,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Attila Fábián, Rector of the University of Sopron, upon signing the cooperation. At the national level, the University of Sopron, the Green University of Hungary, is a key player in research and development.

The common goal of the institution and the robotics company is to develop forestry robots with new functions that are capable of providing innovative services to domestic and international forestry players. The development portfolio of SatiNav Robotics Kft. is an innovation that offers unique solutions in both hardware and software development.

“Our development is based on our own designed, modular robot platforms. The essence of these is that they can be supplemented with different units – so-called modules. For this, we have developed a uniquely designed, standard connection system, so that the robots can be quickly adapted to the specific task, whether it is field measurements, data collection or even precision tasks. Our software background is also unique: it is built on an internationally novel, visual navigation basic model, which we have supplemented with a neural mapping process of our own development. Thanks to this, our robots will be able to navigate and work independently even in complex, changing environments. Potentially anywhere!”

– said Márk Czimber, CEO of SatiNav Robotics Kft. Researchers from the University of Sopron and young engineers from SatiNav Robotics agreed and confirmed their intention with their signatures: they will carry out research and development activities in close cooperation, complementing each other’s resources and competencies, thereby jointly contributing to shaping the future of forestry robotics.