Eurostars: Desarrollo de electrónica de pulsos de alta tensión para un robot autónomo de control de malezas sin herbicidas

The proposed project, THOR, addresses a growing need for sustainable weed control solutions in private gardens and public green spaces where the use of herbicides is increasingly restricted. Perennial weeds such as dandelion, dock, ground elder and creeping thistle frequently regrow from their root systems after mowing or manual removal, creating significant maintenance challenges.
The project will develop an autonomous robotic platform capable of locating individual weed plants and delivering targeted electrical treatment directly to the root zone. The system combines computer vision, artificial intelligence and precision mechatronics. A camera-based detection system identifies the weed and estimates the root location. A thin electrode is then inserted into the soil, where a controlled low-energy electrical treatment is applied. Voltage, current and delivered energy are measured and logged to enable optimisation of treatment parameters. Plants that survive treatment can subsequently be identified and retreated.

Previous research has demonstrated the potential of low-energy electrical treatment for controlling certain weed species, particularly during early growth stages. The THOR project will investigate whether root-targeted electrical treatment can provide lasting control of perennial species and whether the technology can be implemented safely and economically within a compact battery-powered robotic system.

The project aims to advance the technology from approximately TRL 3-4 to TRL 7 over a 30-month period through laboratory development, biological validation, field testing, alpha and beta prototype development, and demonstration activities. The primary target market is private garden owners. Secondary markets include municipalities, landscaping companies and operators of public green areas.

The consortium currently consists of:
•A Danish SME responsible for robotic platform development, navigation, electrode mechanics, system integration, safety architecture and commercialisation.
•A Danish research and innovation organisation responsible for artificial intelligence, weed identification and treatment-point localisation.
•A Swedish research organisation with extensive experience in electrical weed control, responsible for biological validation and field trials.

The consortium is seeking an additional SME partner from an eligible Eurostars country other than Denmark. The partner will lead the development of the electrical treatment module and play a central role in the project. The work includes development of a battery-powered high-voltage pulse generation system, electrode subsystem, electrical interface, voltage and current measurement systems, delivered-energy monitoring, dosage control and electrical safety functions. The partner will also participate in early experimental activities together with the Swedish research organisation to determine optimal electrode positioning, insertion depth and treatment dosage.

The project will be submitted to Eurostars-3 Call 12 with a call deadline of 4 March 2027. The consortium aims to identify a suitable partner by December 2026 in order to finalise budgets, work packages and consortium arrangements before proposal submission.

Framework program
Eureka
Call title and identifier
Eurostars-3 call 12
Submission and evaluation scheme
Anticipated project budget
Coordinator required
No
Deadline for EoI
15 Dec 2026
Deadline of the call
4 Mar 2027
Project duration in weeks
Web link to the call
Project title and acronym
THOR