Innovation and collaboration in greenhouse horticulture
The World Horti Center in Naaldwijk is an international knowledge and innovation hub for greenhouse horticulture. This location brings together research, education, and industry to test and demonstrate the latest technologies and innovations. As a test and validation site within the NXTGEN Hightech program, the World Horti Center plays a key role in the development and implementation of advanced solutions for the greenhouse horticulture of the future.
NXTGEN Handsfree Agrifood activities
Within the NXTGEN Hightech program, the collaboration with the World Horti Center focuses on the integration and validation of new technologies that contribute to the further digitalization and automation of greenhouse horticulture.
Knowledge sharing and practice-oriented innovation
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The World Horti Center serves as a hub where companies, researchers, and students collaborate on the development of innovations for greenhouse horticulture. Within NXTGEN Hightech, practice-oriented research projects are initiated in which new technologies are tested and validated. This accelerates the implementation of innovations and strengthens the connection between research and industry.
Data-driven cultivation and process optimization
Within the NXTGEN program, new methods are being explored at the World Horti Center to better utilize data for cultivation optimization. By connecting sensors, cameras, and AI-driven analyses to climate and cultivation systems, experiments are conducted with precision agriculture and real-time decision-making. This contributes to more efficient and sustainable production.
Automation and robotics in the greenhouse
Greenhouse horticulture faces the challenge of further automating production processes. At the World Horti Center, advanced robots and autonomous systems are tested for applications such as crop monitoring, harvesting, and crop care. These technologies reduce dependence on manual labor and improve the consistency and quality of cultivation.
Digital Twin and simulation of greenhouse environments
A key component of the NXTGEN activities at the World Horti Center is the use of Digital Twin technologies. By creating a digital replica of the greenhouse environment, new cultivation strategies and technologies can be tested without making physical changes to the greenhouse. This accelerates the innovation cycle and allows scenarios to be simulated before they are implemented in practice.
Capabilities of the World Horti Center test facility
Physical Infrastructure
Trial greenhouse and demonstration facilities for testing cultivation innovations
IoT sensors and advanced climate systems for real-time monitoring
Robotics and automation setups for handsfree cultivation validation
Research and collaboration spaces for innovation projects
Digital Infrastructure
Data platforms for storage and analysis of climate data
Real-time dashboards for visualization of crop data and process optimization
Digital Twin models for simulation and strategy development
AI-driven software and algorithms for autonomous crop management
Expertise and Support
Researchers and data specialists for support during testing and validation processes
Innovation experts for guidance in digitalization and automation
Collaborative partnerships between companies, education, and government
Want to learn more about testing and validating Innovation Package 2?
Within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, innovations are tested and optimized to take the next step toward practical application. Curious about the possibilities and how use cases are helping to advance these innovations? Our innovation package leads, Colinda de Beer and Liesbeth Leurs, will be happy to tell you more.