Contact

ICAERUS & AgRibot: Changing Agriculture From the Ground Up

Agriculture remains at the heart of Europe’s food system — feeding millions while also standing as one of the continent’s main environmental pressures. Agricultural land covers nearly 39% of the EU’s total territory and is responsible for around 11% of all greenhouse gas emissions. These impacts are not distant concerns; they shape the very food we eat. Farmers, under pressure to sustain yields, continue to rely on chemical inputs to protect crops. Yet in 2020, pesticides exceeded health-risk thresholds in 22% of Europe’s rivers and lakes, while 83% of agricultural soils tested contained pesticide residues.

At the same time, agriculture depends on the very ecosystems it strains. Soil fertility, pollination, and water availability are all under threat from degradation and climate change. Reducing these pressures is essential to securing the future of Europe’s farms, its farmers, and the food systems that sustain us all.

Improving Quality of Life, One Drone at a Time

Launched in 2022, ICAERUS explores the vast potential of drones as multi-purpose tools for Europe’s agriculture, forestry, and rural communities. Through five large-scale demonstration cases, the project showcases how drones can act both as an “eye-in-the-sky”, collecting optical and spatial data for observation and decision-making. And as a “hand-in-the-sky”,  enabling precise spraying and goods delivery.

By advancing existing software, platform components, and drone technologies, ICAERUS strengthens Europe’s capacity to use drones safely and effectively across interconnected rural landscapes. It identifies the risks, added value, and societal impact of drone technologies, helping to build a trusted, efficient, and sustainable drone ecosystem.

From Air to Ground – A Shared Mission

Aligned in this mission, AgRibot and ICAERUS bring together the best of robotics, AI, and drones to make farming more precise, efficient, and sustainable. By combining aerial and ground technologies, we’re helping farmers achieve better crop management and reduce pesticide use, bridging the gap between sustainability goals and everyday fieldwork. Drones collect data that train AI models; robots and drones act on those insights. The result is a clearer picture of crop health and yield potential, and farming practices that minimise environmental impact while maximising efficiency.

Extending beyond technology, both projects are dedicated to empowering farmers and rural professionals to use these tools confidently and safely. ICAERUS provides open-access training courses on drone applications, while AgRibot’s upcoming Insights Hub will share robotic solutions and learning materials freely across Europe. Together, we’re ensuring that innovation remains open, practical, and people-centred — helping farmers adapt to change, not be replaced by it.

In the months ahead, we’ll continue to build on this partnership through joint workshops, podcasts, and Web Cafés, creating opportunities for farmers, researchers, and innovators to experience these technologies firsthand. As ICAERUS reaches its conclusion in July 2026, our shared commitment remains the same — to keep building bridges, from air to ground, toward a truly sustainable future for European agriculture.

Find more about AgRibot .

1370 741 ICAERUS

Drone Stakeholders survey (e.g. Drone manufacturers, Drone service providers, Software developers)

Start Typing

    Stay Connected
    We appreciate your feedback.

    Join our newsletter

      Join our newsletter

      Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

      ©2022 ICAERUS Project