Prof Marc Hanheide will deliver the keynote address at the AI & Robotics in Agriculture Demo Day, taking place on Wednesday, 18th June 2025 at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo in the Netherlands.

The Keynote: “Why isn’t there a robot on every field yet?”

Prof Hanheide’s keynote, titled “Why isn’t there a robot on every field yet? Challenges and Opportunities of Robotics & AI in Agri-Food”, will explore a compelling paradox: whilst robots have been manufacturing our cars for decades, primary food production still relies heavily on manual labour.

The talk will examine why agriculture remains highly mechanised but not automated, highlighting the unique challenges robots face when operating “in the wild” – far from controlled development environments and dealing with constantly changing conditions. Prof Hanheide will share insights from collaborative research projects involving AI and agri-robotics spinouts that address urgent needs in crop monitoring, care, and harvesting.

About the Event

This high-impact event, organised by EIT Food and Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, brings together over 150 stakeholders including 20+ startups, industry leaders, investors, and researchers showcasing how AI and robotics are transforming farming and food production.

Register here to join the event in Venlo.