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Environmental Space Living Lab - Satellite Applications Catapult
Business Support // Technology & Service Acceleration

Environmental Space Living Lab

Enabling Agritech adoption across the UK

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THE ENVIRONMENTAL SPACE LIVING LAB (ESLL):

BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET ADOPTION

The purpose of the ESLL is to advance scalable commercially viable technologies that address environmental and supply chain issues for farmers and end-users to adopt.  By connecting technology developers with farmers, supply chain members, businesses, and academia, we facilitate effective collaboration, communication, and commercialisation. We provide access to expertise, equipment, and test environments on land and water, enabling technology developers and farmers to further develop prototypes, collect data and demonstrate the market viability of innovative solutions at scale. This approach ensures sustainable technologies benefit multiple stakeholders and contribute to efficient and profitable supply chains and a healthier environment.

Themed Areas of Focus:

The ESLL focuses on soil, water, and biodiversity, underpinned by automation, connectivity, and geospatial data.

SOIL

Functioning soils are essential for national food security, clean water, biodiversity, and carbon sequestration. Space technologies enable automated soil monitoring through earth observation, remote sensing, and satellite-enabled IoT.

WATER

Satellite data and geospatial approaches manage water catchments, enhancing the environment’s ability to clean water, refill aquifers, and reduce flood impacts.

BIODIVERSITY

Agriculture’s adoption of new processes and technologies protects species at risk of extinction. Emerging technologies, satellite capabilities, and sensors monitor biodiversity, ensuring environmental corridors and predicting future living conditions for species.

The Environmental Space Living Lab (ESLL) Example Offerings:

TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT

Real-world and On-farm Test Sites: Utilize 5G masts, drones, earth observation, soil and water sensors, and connectivity expertise for product testing and data collection to develop fit-for-purpose solutions. Robotics Engineers, 3D Printing, and Rapid Prototyping: Receive design reviews and suggestions for scaling up production profitably.

COMMERCIAL STRATEGY

Strategy Experts: Define your customer base, solve problems, generate revenue, and protect and monetize intellectual property. Commercialisation Support: Develop a go-to-market strategy, conduct market analysis, stakeholder mapping, secure funding, and prepare for investor engagement.

OPPORTUNITY EXPLORATION WORKSHOPS

Opportunity Exploration Workshops: Explore the benefits of novel and enabling technologies including earth observation and 5G connectivity for your supply chain, farm, and business. Analyse pain pints and barriers to adoption and identify opportunities, costs, and risks, and develop potential solutions.

COLLABORATION AND NETWORKING

Community and Networking: Engage with the ESLL community and UK space sector through the Satellite Applications Catapult. Connect with consortium members and EO experts and showcase your solutions to relevant stakeholders.

EXAMPLES OF BUSINESSES WE HAVE SUPPORTED:

  • CSEQ: 5G and RTK electronics innovation designed by a farmer for farmers.

Support Areas: Advice on licensing and intellectual property, and commercial strategy to scale up production. 3D printing, engineering design review facilitated by our real-world test sites.

  • Freeup: Low-cost in-water sensors providing real-time data on water quality and management, supported by IoT and Earth observation data.

Support Areas: Value proposition articulation, stakeholder identification, earth observation capabilities, real-world testing, 3D printing and prototyping.

  • AgriAI: Uses AI, robotics, and thermal imaging to monitor cattle health and welfare.

Support Areas: Working space, connectivity via 5G, technical design reviews, electromagnetic interference, rapid prototyping, and 3D printing. Testing is conducted through our real-world site utilizing their facilities, equipment, and expertise.

SPACE FOR SUSTAINABILTY

The agri-food sector faces the challenge of reducing its 26% contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and its use of 70% of global freshwater. Climate change impacts agriculture through changing temperatures, soil quality, rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events, threatening crop yields, livestock health, and food production stability.

Space technology supports food security by enhancing local supply chains, environmental monitoring, and providing valuable insights for decision-making. Integrating space-based data into agricultural practices can mitigate climate change impacts, enhance sustainability, improve efficiency and profitability, and optimize resource usage.

For more information on Earth Observation (EO) capabilities, please contact us through the section below.

SPACE: INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY, PROFITABLILITY, AND SUSTAINABILTY

The space sector is evolving with new commercial players making technology more accessible and affordable. Significant investments in space assets reduce costs compared to ground infrastructure, with a 71% increase in communication satellites since 2020, enhancing remote connectivity for sensors in agriculture.

Transformations in Earth Observation (EO) provide detailed data on environmental changes, biomass, and water quality, supported by automated analytics and diverse business models. The Satellite Applications Catapult leads this revolution, collaborating with the agri-food industry to harness space-based solutions, fostering a sustainable and resilient future for agriculture.

 

ESLL PARTNERS:

Co-funded by Somerset Council and Innovate UK, the ESLL collaborates with consortium partners including Petroc College, Bicton College, Bridgwater and Taunton College, the North Devon Biosphere, Plymouth and Exeter Universities, and Devon and Dorset County Councils.

Whether you have a piece of technology and seek suitable applications, require assistance in securing funding to develop a prototype, or need access to potential users for testing and piloting your technology or service, the Environmental Space Living Lab can provide the support you need.

PROCESS:

  • Fill out the “Start your enquiry” form below.
  • A member of our Business Innovation Team will arrange an initial call to discuss support areas.
  • If appropriate, a diagnostic call with internal and external specialists will be arranged to develop a “statement of work.”
  • We help find the right funding to support the proposed solution.
  • The statement of work will create a quote for the support. Once agreed, support can commence.

START YOUR ENQUIRY

Reach out now to find out more and book an initial call with the ESLL business innovation team.

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