The Moselle Valley in Cochem-Zell, renowned for its nearly 2000-year-old winegrowing heritage and steep slopes, has traditionally relied on manual labor for cultivation. However, the increasing shortage of skilled workers and the risks associated with working on these steep inclines have presented significant challenges. To address these issues and preserve this unique cultural landscape, the “Smarter Weinberg” project—funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport—is leveraging 5G technology for digitization and automation, aiming to bolster regional wineries.
Deutsche Telekom has deployed a 5G campus network to support this initiative. The network, along with an edge cloud integrated into the project, underpins various digital applications, including robotics, AI, and image recognition.
The 5G Viticulture Robot: A Smart Helper
At the heart of the project is a 5G-equipped robot that autonomously navigates vineyard rows to perform labor-intensive tasks such as soil cultivation and defoliation. The robot is outfitted with cameras that capture detailed images of the vines and their environment. This data allows for real-time control of cultivation equipment, such as weed removal tools. Additionally, the data provides insights into foliage volume, pest infestation, and ripening conditions. A central data platform enables intelligent reuse of this information, allowing winegrowers to optimize water, fertilizer, and crop protection use.
Maria Wimmer, Professor of E-Government at the University of Koblenz, notes, “Automation in viticulture, especially on steep slopes, has been under-researched. Our project’s robotics platform brings automation to the vineyard, but it relies on a powerful network and computer system. A private 5G campus solution is essential for this.”
Kilian Franzen, a winemaker at the Franzen winery in Bremm, adds, “The robot is invaluable for time-consuming tasks like mulching and defoliation. It allows us to utilize our limited skilled workers more effectively in areas where manual labor is still needed.”
Real-Time Data Processing with 5G Industrial Frequencies
The 5G network uses industrial frequencies in the 3.7 to 3.8 GHz range, specifically allocated for the vineyard by the Federal Network Agency. This private network operates independently of Deutsche Telekom’s public network, providing exclusive access to over 100 megahertz of upload bandwidth for sensor data. Future plans include developing the network into a nomadic system that can move between vineyards. Both the robots and the network are designed to be emission-free, with an electric vehicle supplying power to the grid via its charging socket.
Mathias Poeten, Head of Mobile Networks at Deutsche Telekom, states, “5G is transforming viticulture. Our tailored 5G campus network provides the foundation for this innovation. Our containerized solution will ensure connectivity for winegrowers as they move between vineyards.”
The network also plays a crucial role in researching 5G signal interference and propagation in complex agricultural environments. The challenging topography of the vineyards will be studied to understand how objects like wires, plants, and foliage impact signal quality.
The Smart Vineyard Project
The “Smart Vineyard” project focuses on modernizing viticulture in the steep slopes of the Cochem-Zell region. Coordinated by the University of Koblenz, the project involves various partners including the Service Center for Rural Areas (Mosel), Agricultural Machinery Technology Clemens Technologies, Vision and Robotics, AeroDCS, and local winegrowers Franzen in Bremm and Weis in Zell/Mosel. The initiative aims to help winegrowers adapt to climate change and skilled labor shortages while maintaining high wine quality. Funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, the project represents a significant step in the digital transformation of viticulture.
