CoRoSect, a Horizon 2020 project led by Maastricht University that started in January 2021, has successfully concluded in March 2024. The project's goal was to foster collaborative environments between humans and robots, while also streamlining labour-intensive tasks in insect farming production. The overarching goal was to significantly contribute to the optimization and automatization of small and medium-sized insect farms that breed and rear black soldier flies, mealworms and crickets. Thus, CoRoSect introduced an integrated cognitive ecosystem that replaces monotonous and challenging tasks of insect farming with automated processes.
Significant Achievements in Insect Farming Achieved
CoRoSect addressed practical challenges in insect rearing, including handling crates, monitoring environmental conditions, larvae separation, and quality management. Four large-scale pilots conducted in Norway, Italy, Bulgaria, and Spain played a pivotal role in refining the CoRoSect system, comprising diverse software and hardware components of various complexity levels. Thanks to the collective and individual effort of the consortium members, and insect farms willing to provide time, space, knowledge, and insects, the CoRoSect system was successfully fine-tuned.
Key Highlights of CoRoSect's Impact:
Benefits for Humanity and Environment
CoRoSect's innovation lies in transforming low-quality organic waste into protein-rich food suitable for humans and animals, aligning with circular economy principles. By fostering symbiosis between humans and robots, CoRoSect not only revolutionizes insect rearing but also streamlines production processes, enhancing sustainability and income generation.
