Successful transfer - Zauberzeug and HNEE win the Seifriz-Award

The project "AI-controlled field robot Uckerbot/Feldfreund" by project partners Zauberzeug GmbH + Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is the winner of the "Seifriz - Transfer Award for Crafts + Science" 2024. It was selected by a jury from 21 applications. A total of four innovative collaborations and transfer projects between the skilled trades and science were honoured.

For Prof Dr Ralf Bloch with the Department of Agroecology and Sustainable Cultivation Systems at HNEE and Scientific Director of the Wilmersdorf Teaching and Research Station, the award is an expression of successful teamwork between science and the skilled trades: "This form of cooperation between Zauberzeug GmbH and HNEE shows how science and the skilled trades can efficiently strengthen agricultural businesses together."

The "Uckerbots" project promotes the expansion of organic sugar beet cultivation in the Uckermark region through innovative weed control using field robotics. The existing weeding robot prototype Uckerbot is being brought to practical maturity with the help of a utilisation concept on a technical-economic and social-organisational level in the form of a robot swarm. The developed improvements in travelling and working speed and research into the internet connection between robots will be accompanied by field trials at the Wilmersdorf teaching and research station. The agro-ecological effects of robotics are also being researched.

The award ceremony will take place during a farm visit, which has yet to be finalised. A delegation of representatives from the relevant Chamber of Skilled Crafts, the Technologietransfer Handwerk e.V. association and the award jury will present the Seifriz trophies and certificates to the award-winning company and the respective scientific partners. The award includes prize money as well as a portrait in "handwerk magazin" and participation in the "Zukunft Handwerk" trade fair.

The competition for knowledge transfer between the skilled trades and science has been taking place for over 30 years. It is organised by the Baden-Württemberg trade association "Handwerk BW" through the association Technologietransfer Handwerk e.V. in cooperation with the business magazine "handwerk magazin". The Holzmann Medien Group, the Signal Iduna Group for Insurance and Finance and IKK classic acted as partners.

In addition to technically innovative projects, master craftsmen, practitioners and scientists can also submit innovative business models or strategies to the competition. A special prize can be awarded for sustainable innovations. A total of 25,000 euros in prize money and participation in the "Zukunft Handwerk" trade fair congress will be awarded.

Zauberzeug GmbH, based in Havixbeck, has been a leading company and ideas incubator in the field of robotics and intelligent software since 2012, specialising in the development of innovative solutions for agriculture. With a strong focus on sustainability and efficiency, Zauberzeug GmbH is working to shape the agriculture of the future and provide farmers worldwide with tools that are as innovative as they are powerful.

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