INTERREG project VitiSense develops intelligent sensor technologies for more sustainable and precise viticulture in Upper-Rhine region.
The INTERREG project “VitiSense” officially launched in March 2026 with a joint kick-off meeting in Strasbourg. Researchers, technology partners, and representatives from the wine sector came together to mark the beginning of a cross-border research initiative aimed at making viticulture in the Upper-Rhine region more sustainable and data-driven.
The project brings together Furtwangen University (HFU), the University of Strasbourg, and the two companies RS2D and ML&S. By combining expertise in engineering, sensor technologies, data science and applied research, the partners aim to develop innovative solutions for the future of viticulture.
At the core of VitiSense is the development of intelligent, non-invasive sensor systems for precision viticulture. The project objective is to detect changes in vine health as early and accurately as possible − ideally before visible damage occurs. Against the backdrop of increasing climate stress, prolonged drought periods and emerging plant diseases, continuous monitoring of vine conditions is becoming increasingly important for the wine industry.
High-tech solutions for the vineyard
VitiSense combines two technological approaches that are currently more familiar from medical diagnostics and advanced material analysis than from agriculture. One of the project’s main research areas is the development of a portable low-field MRI system designed to examine vine trunks directly in the vineyard. Unlike conventional magnetic resonance imaging systems, the portable device is intended for on-site use under real agricultural conditions. The goal is to identify changes in water distribution or structural damage inside the vine without harming the plant itself.
This approach is complemented by optical sensor systems for leaf analysis. The technologies involved include spectroscopic methods as well as time-resolved fluorescence measurements. These techniques allow researchers to draw conclusions about physiological processes within the plant, such as nutrient supply, drought stress or early signs of disease. Particularly promising is the possibility of detecting biochemical changes at very early stages − long before they become visible to the human eye.
Digitalisation meets sustainability
The project is part of the broader development of so-called precision farming, where digital technologies are used to make agricultural processes more efficient and resource-conscious. While sensor networks, drones and AI-supported analytics have already become common in arable farming, the application of highly precise digital technologies in viticulture is still in its early stages in many regions.
VitiSense therefore follows a strongly interdisciplinary approach; experts from engineering, data science and agricultural sciences work closely together to develop robust systems suitable for real-world operating conditions. In the future, the collected data could not only be analysed locally on mobile devices but also integrated into digital decision-support platforms. This could enable winegrowers to optimise irrigation, plant protection and harvest timing more precisely than before.
Relevance for the Upper-Rhine wine region
The Upper-Rhine region is one of Europe’s most important wine-growing areas and is simultaneously among the regions most affected by climate change. Heatwaves, new pests and irregular precipitation patterns are creating major challenges for many vineyards. Early warning systems such as those being developed within the VitiSense project could help winegrowers respond more quickly and effectively to stress conditions while also reducing the use of water and plant protection products.
Beyond its technological ambitions, the project also demonstrates how European research funding can strengthen regional innovation networks. INTERREG initiatives are specifically designed to promote cross-border collaboration within Europe − in this case between research institutions and industry partners from Germany and France.
With the official launch in Strasbourg, VitiSense now enters its multi-year research and development phase. In the long term, the project partners hope that the technologies developed within the initiative will contribute to a more resilient and sustainable wine industry while paving the way for a new generation of intelligent agricultural sensing systems.
For further information about the project please contact: Internal link opens in the same window:Prof. Dr. Volker Bucher (Project leader)
Further impressions
