LightSaver^AI: intelligent LED lighting

The challenges for agricultural systems are increasing worldwide. In Germany, too, water pollution and over-fertilization as well as pesticide and herbicide residues in agricultural products are causing increasing problems. Various studies currently assume that the challenges for developed German federal states will lie in further maximizing yields. It is more a question of reducing the environmental impact while maintaining the same yield and meeting consumers' demand for higher product quality.

To achieve these goals, food producers are increasingly turning to the digitalization of agricultural technologies. The "LightSaver^AI" project is creating the basis for an intelligent lighting system that analyzes and adjusts the light requirements of plants in indoor farms in real time.

The system developed by Fraunhofer UMSICHT measures the chlorophyll fluorescence as a measure of the photosynthesis rate non-invasively, i.e. without damaging the plant, and evaluates this using AI. The result is detailed information about the current light requirement. An AI-supported control circuit is then used to recruitment an LED lighting module so that the plant always receives the optimum lighting intensity for the respective growth phase and current environmental parameters. The LED technology maximizes the photosynthesis rate and minimizes energy consumption at the same time.

The dynamic and software-supported production system will initially be tested with lettuce. The next step is to transfer it to other production sectors, such as the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.

• Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
• RZB Rudolf Zimmermann, Bamberg GmbH
• Computomics GmbH
• Heinz Walz GmbH (associated)