Advanced Automated Timber Value Chain

AutoForst seeks to address challenges in the forest wood supply chain through advanced automation of the individual process steps of the timber value chain. While recent progress has been made, particularly in the development of assistance systems, the level of automation in forestry remains relatively low. AutoForst aims to fully automate operational procedures, reducing the need for on-site personnel, especially in hazardous situations, and improving safety. The integration of automated technologies, such as cranes, trucks, and drones, will increase efficiency, with human intervention required only for tasks that machines cannot independently perform. Additionally, automation enables comprehensive traceability throughout the round timber value chain. By adopting sustainable propulsion systems, AutoForst ensures environmental sustainability and harnesses the local environment’s advantages, such as the potential for energy recuperation and the generation of green energy from renewable sources like hydroelectric power. AutoForst’s methodology focuses on overcoming the key scientific challenges related to implementing automation in the round timber value chain. This interdisciplinary approach includes advancements in image recognition algorithms, AI-based analysis, automotive and sensing technologies, navigation strategies, control algorithms for several systems, like drones, cranes and trucks, telemonitoring, fleet management, digitalization and sustainability efforts, all aimed at shaping the forestry of the future. Beyond the scientific and technological challenges, forestry environments present unique difficulties, such as changing climate and weather conditions, remote or hard-to-reach areas, and external factors like wind. These factors add complexity to the application of the researched and developed approaches of AutoForst, making it a distinctive and exceptional project that combines interdisciplinary in a truly unique way. AutoForst will integrate the results of scientific investigations, in collaboration with key industry players from leading Austrian companies, into functional prototypes that reflect the interdisciplinary approach. These prototypes will be validated in real-world forestry environments, demonstrating the feasibility of the technology and serving as a foundation for future advancements. Additionally, they will act as a platform for pursuing the certification of fully automated systems.