The gprSense project aims to significantly advance precision agriculture by developing and deploying a cutting-edge drone-borne ground-penetrating radar (GPR) system for high-resolution, real-time mapping of root-zone soil moisture and electrical conductivity. The key objectives are:
The gprSense project faces several technical and operational challenges, each of which will be systematically addressed through targeted design, testing, and refinement processes:
By addressing these technical challenges, the gprSense project aims to deliver a reliable, high-performance product that meets the demands of precision agriculture.
The gprSense system integrates advanced technologies to provide real-time, high-resolution mapping of root-zone soil properties, offering precision and scalability for agricultural applications:
AI computer vision algorithms to automatically analyse the vineyard 3D point cloud and get biometric parameters with an error up to 10% with respect to manual measures;
Advanced Technology for Scientists and Farmers: The gprSense system bridges advanced geophysical research with practical applications, providing a tool that offers high-resolution soil property mapping. In addition to supporting precision agriculture, the system can also enhance satellite remote sensing by offering high-resolution ground-truth data that bridges the gap between soil sampling and satellite observations.
Irrigation Efficiency: By delivering precise data on root-zone soil moisture variability, gprSense enables farmers to optimize irrigation practices, potentially reducing water usage by up to 30 %. This will contribute to more sustainable and efficient water use in agriculture.
Increased Productivity: With real-time, accurate data on soil conditions, gprSense will empower farmers to make data-driven decisions, leading to better crop management, increased yields, and overall improved productivity.
Soil Health and Carbon Stock Assessments: The ability to map both soil moisture and electrical conductivity makes gprSense an invaluable tool for comprehensive soil health assessments. It also supports environmental monitoring, such as assessing carbon stocks in moisture-sensitive ecosystems like peatlands, where moisture plays a crucial role in carbon dynamics.
Full name | Sensar Consulting |
Country | Belgium |
Website | www.sensar-consulting.be |
Contact Persons | Dr. Sébastien Lambot |
Contact’s email |
Sensar Consulting is a Belgium-based small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) specializing in high-resolution subsurface imaging using ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic induction (EMI). For over 12 years, the company has applied its expertise across diverse sectors, including archaeology, agriculture, and civil engineering.
Founded by Dr. Sébastien Lambot, a leading expert with 24 years of experience in GPR research and development at the Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain, Belgium), Sensar Consulting bridges the gap between cutting-edge geophysical research and practical applications. The company has since evolved to manufacture gprSense, an innovative GPR system and software designed for digital soil mapping and precision agriculture.
Through long-standing collaborations with academic institutions, agricultural centers, and industry partners, Sensar Consulting drives innovative, sustainable solutions. The company has been actively involved in EU-funded projects such as agROBOfood and the ongoing ICAERUS initiative, advancing gprSense to support digital agriculture and resource management.
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.