Agricultural engineering innovations for agriculture and forestry


The Agro-Forestry Innovations Laboratory promotes the technological transfer of innovations in agricultural and forestry production biosystems, with particular regard to the specific characteristics of mountain environments.

AFI-Lab’s cutting-edge equipment is used in research projects, but also for testing technologies and prototypes, with the aim of promoting the digitalisation of processes, identifying the best solutions to increase the sustainability of mechanised operations, and improving the working conditions of those employed in the sector.

The laboratory’s equipment and the multidisciplinary expertise are therefore used in institutional research, participatory research (for the joint development of technologies with companies in the sector) and the certification of new machines or devices.

Main topics

  • The safety conditions of machinery, with particular regard to issues related to extreme mountain conditions
  • The environmental impact of agricultural activities, with particular attention to the use of pesticides in orchards
  • The energy efficiency of agricultural machinery, including the use of alternative fuels
  • The development of technological solutions for the digital transformation of management, and process automation in farms and forestry enterprises

Laboratory Equipment

Platform for stability tests of drive units

Indoor structure for testing and certifying, in a configurable environment, the stability conditions of various drive units (up to 10 tonnes) on a full scale. Consisting of a rotating (360 degrees) and tilting (up to 55 degrees) platform made up of 4 independent, shifting plains, capable of simulating various configurations of uneven ground.

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Wind tunnel for assessing sprayer drift phenomena

Space enclosed by movable walls (width 6 m, length 30 m, height 10 m) for analysing drift phenomena associated with the use of full-scale sprayers. Semi-field test environment with the possibility of controlling the air flow speed (in laminar motion up to 5 m/s) thanks to 7 extractor fans with a total electrical power of up to 170 kW.

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