More info
For further reading on this project, visit digitalphysics.se and Mistra Digital Forest's website.
Image: Martin Servin
Research project A research program focused on digital tools and automation technology, utilizing the large data in the forest sector, for the societal transition towards a sustainable circular bioeconomy.
Mistra Digital Forest is a national research program developing methods, models and digital tools contributing to a digital forestry value chain that paves the way for a circular bioeconomy. At Umeå University, we aim to give forest machines the capability to perceive their surroundings and predict the outcome of different actions using digital physics and sensor data. Specifically, we focus on driving in rough and weak terrain and autonomous loading of logs.
The programme focuses on developing useful digital tools and automation techniques that take advantage of the huge amounts of data available in the forestry sector. By collecting, structuring and processing data all the way from the forest owner to the factory, the Swedish forest industry can increase its profitability and at the same time meet society’s high demands for sustainability.
The program comprises three work packages: Forest information systems, Decision support, and Automation. The research at Umeå University is focused on the following research tasks: Digital terrain analysis and trafficability models; Digitised forest operations planning; Data, models, and software for machine automation; and Automatic log loading.
Umeå University is the leader in the Automation work package. The research focuses on creating annotated datasets from field measurements and developing models and algorithms for automated control of forest machines using artificial intelligence (AI).
Solutions for object identification, perception, and motion planning and control are developed through the combined use of physical and virtual environments. The datasets, trained models, and algorithms are made publicly available through data and software sharing repositories.
For further reading on this project, visit digitalphysics.se and Mistra Digital Forest's website.