Many industries are transitioning to I4.0 production models by adopting robots in their processes. In parallel, XR technologies have reached sufficient maturity to also enter the domain of industrial applications, with early success cases often related to the training of workers, remote assistance, access to contextual information and interaction with digital twins. This project looks at the intersection of both technologies: robots and XR. The use of robots in industry will be increasingly enhanced with XR applications, and workers must be able to understand both technologies and use hybrid solutions confidently. Achieving this is a challenge that education and training programs must meet. The objective of MASTER is to boost the XR ecosystem for teaching and training of robotics in manufacturing by providing an Open XR platform that integrates key functionalities for creating safe robotic environments, programming flexible robotic applications (programming by demonstration in flexible robotic application development) and integrating advanced interaction mechanisms (innovation in gaze-based interaction). MASTER will also deliver rich training content on robotics. MASTER proposes integrating third party contributions through two Open Calls: The first one aims to provide the platform with additional technologies and functionalities. The selected companies will have the opportunity to integrate their technology in the platform and test it with a wide range of end-users. The second Open Call is aimed at the education sector, by offering the possibility to test first-hand the platform and tools to create their own content.

CITRUSBUSTERS proposes an ambitious and efficient R&I initiative aimed at developing solutions tailored to address Citrus pests with devastating impacts worldwide: Candidatus Liberibacter (CL), its associated insect vector (T. erytreae) and Phyllostycta citricarpa (PC), considered priority and quarantine pest in the EU. With an approach prioritising prevention, CITRUSBUSTERS will enlarge the IPM toolbox for high-value citrus crops by: (i) demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of smart tools for pathogen observation and early detection, enabling the prediction of future outbreak risks, based on co-culture models for CL and PC to provide solid knowledge on their spatiotemporal dynamics, technologies based on hyperspectral and LIDAR imaging, and predictive models through MLA linking soil health, vectors and plant parameters; ii) developing innovative tools, substances and agroecological practices to enhance plant resilience against biotic stresses by means of DNA-free and genetic changes for breeding purposes and innovative extraction technologies for active molecules triggering immune responses in plants; and (iii) developing sustainable and safe biocontrol active formulations for improving crop health during cultivation, by means of encapsulated endolysins for CL, microbial antifungal substances for PC and dsRNA targeting T.erytreae. CITRUSBUSTERS will strenghten the abilities of stakeholders to respond to pest outbreaks relying on a solid multiactor approach for the co-creation of solutions and the assessment of environmental, social and economic impacts of the pests of the solutions, developing policy recommendations and best practices guidelines. This will ensure the adequacy of the proposed solutions and the wider acceptance of IPM strategies contributing to promote fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption and to restoring Europe’s ecosystems and biodiversity.

Several studies have identified 3 main waste streams that are the most promising for being valorised to obtain bio-based fertilisers (BBFs): (1) manure, (2) sewage sludge, and (3) food chain waste. From these, manure is the largest waste stream, representing more than 70% of the nutrients, but several studies have been conducted in the last 10 years aimed at its valorisation as BBF and have shown that it is a feasible feedstock for obtaining N-rich streams and organic amendments that can be used directly as BBF, but most of them are not suitable to be used as ingredients for centralised high quality fertiliser production due to the presence of pollutants such as heavy metals (mainly Zn and Cu) and organic matter. Sewage sludge and food chain waste have not yet been deeply investigated at the levels required for industrial implementation, such that their fertilising potential is still under-exploited. The ReLEAF project is based on the advancement and widespread demonstration (in 5 technology demonstration sites) of a suite of extraction techniques to produce key BBF ingredients from waste streams prevalent across Europe – sewage sludge, fish processing waste and wastewater, mixed food waste, and agri-food residues. The formulation and production (in 2 sites) of cost-effective BBFs will address the serious issues of externalities (i.e., dependency on foreign supply chains (P and K), and petroleum-based resources (N)) from fertiliser production and use in European soils together with security of supply and waste valorisation. Investigations of the effectiveness and replicability of the BBFs within the varying climate conditions and soil ecosystems of 4 different field demonstration sites, in addition to co-creation activities, will allow for regional engagement with stakeholders to promote widespread acceptance, while industrial involvement will facilitate a rapid scale up and industrialisation of proposed technologies.

Potato is a key crop in Europe (€12.4 billion, 2020). However, it is considered vulnerable to a variety of pests and soil-borne pathogen diseases. One of the most important pests is caused by bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), causing a disease known as zebra chip (ZC). The introduction of CLso bacterium on potato is mainly linked to the presence of the vector psyllid Bactericera cockerelli (BC) causing severe damage, both in terms of yield losses and quality. Main potato postharvest diseases as dry rot, black dot and silver scurf, are caused by soil-borne pathogens that have incidence in both field and storage. All these potential threats may result. in significant economic losses in the potato industry and food losses. The European regulatory framework for potato’s imports and production is very strict. However, globalisation, climate change, economical drivers, as well as the political context (EU Green Deal target of 50% pesticides reduction) are threatening the entrance of emerging potato pests and the incidence of soil-borne pathogen disease in postharvest storage. PataFEST and its 18 complementary partners, including the international cooperation with Ecuador, aims: 1) to characterise at molecular level the ecological pest spread pathway and identify potato disease resistance varieties against CLso and postharvest pathogens, 2) provide effective preharvest plant and soil treatments against CLso vector and soil-borne pathogens combined with other cutting-edge digital technologies such as image analysis tools (mobile app) and artificial intelligence predictive models; 3) develop postharvest technologies (biocontrol coating solution, controlled atmosphere storage and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensors) to control the incidence of soil pathogens and maintain the quality of potato tubers stored. These strategies and technologies will be incorporated into an Integrated Pest Management approach to evaluate their performance at final TRL5.