How Wearable Technology is Transforming Agriculture

Wearable technology is a game-changer in the agriculture industry. The AgWearCare project has harnessed the power of wearables to collect and digitize data, revolutionizing agricultural tasks and preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders. By analyzing the data, the project’s team can identify tasks that have a negative impact on workers’ health and determine which areas of land are more productive. The researchers were so impressed with the results that they even submitted a patent.

Agricultural work is known for being physically demanding, with hazards such as unnatural body positions, repetitive tasks, fatigue, and difficult terrain. While technology is making its way into farms, certain tasks still require manual labor. However, what if technology could help protect farmers from these demanding tasks? What if farmers could use the data collected during their regular tasks to analyze their crops? Well, the Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science (INESC TEC) has developed a solution that does just that.

The AgWearCare project focuses on two key dimensions: well-being and productivity. By collecting data from INESC TEC’s sensors, the project aims to develop a monitoring system that supports farmers’ occupational health and helps manage crops and human resources. The project conducted tests with workers in vineyards, olive trees, and kiwifruit crops. These workers wore wearables that collected data, which was later analyzed to support decision-making processes. The data processing is now integrated into the system, allowing metrics to be calculated in near real-time.

By analyzing the geolocated metrics of the workers, it becomes possible to identify areas of the field that require more or less effort. This information can also indicate the density of specific crops in different areas. Duarte Dias, a researcher at INESC TEC, explains that one practical example is measuring the number of movements a worker makes during activities like pruning or picking fruit. This indicates the worker’s effort and the amount of work required for a certain area.

The data collected through this monitoring system not only helps determine the state of the crop but also enables the development of strategies to reduce the risk of muscle-related issues and injuries. Additionally, it provides valuable insights about the individual work of agricultural employees. The AgWearCare project was led by Wise Connect SA, in collaboration with the Instituto Superior de Agronomia and APPITAD – Association of Producers in Integrated Protection of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro.

The potential of AgWearCare goes beyond improving working conditions for farmers. The leading company of the project, Wise Connect S.A., plans to integrate the system into their commercial platform called WiseCrop. This integration will further enhance agricultural management and provide farmers with a comprehensive tool to optimize their operations. To validate the technology in the field, pilot tests will be carried out with INESC TEC.

AgWearCare is a groundbreaking project funded by the Portugal2020 program. It showcases how wearable technology can revolutionize the agriculture industry, improving working conditions, and enhancing productivity.