Page 17 - Green knowledge 2025

Photo: Steffan Lloyd
Automation of forestry
Self-driving brush cutters and drones that transport and plant in difficult-to-access terrain:
NIBIO researchers are exploring the potential for increased robotisation and the use of
drones in forestry.
Robotics is a newer research field at the intersection
of mechanical, electrical, and software engineering.
And although demand for robots in forestry is not
high at present, it is an important area of research.
In the future, these new tools could make forestry
and timber harvesting more environmentally
friendly, for example by reducing ground damage
during planting and harvesting.
One example is larger transport drones that can lift
heavy loads in or out of difficult-to-access areas –
such as delivering plants to a planting site or trans-
porting timber from the felling site after harvesting.
“More selective harvesting on smaller areas will
require smaller machines. Developing smaller har-
vesting machines and forwarders for small-scale for-
estry could be of great benefit,” says Stephan Hoff-
mann, researcher in forest operations and
digitalization at NIBIO.
Another example is autonomous brush cutters that
could, over time, assist forest owners in clearing
smaller areas in connection with tree planting. The
long-term goal is for the tractor to navigate the ter-
rain using its onboard sensors, like a self-driving car.
In the EU project Small4Good, coordinated by
NIBIO, the aim is specifically to assist smaller forest
owners in Europe with the management of their
properties.
Through so-called “Living Labs” across Europe, and
in collaboration with local forest owners, researchers
are exploring ways to manage forests sustainably.
This could include more varied, multifunctional
management of forest properties, digital innovation,
and opportunities to generate income from ecosys-
tem services beyond timber harvesting.
Purpose: Collaboration: Funding: Contact: To develop technology for sustainable forestry.
Forestry industry, forest owners, forest owner organisations, and research institutions in Europe
The Research Council of Norway and Horizon EU
Research Scientist Steffan Lloyd, Division of Forest and Forest Resources.
Email: steffan.lloyd@nibio.no | Phone: +47 455 05 896
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