FACE – FArmer robots: safe, sustainable and efficient precision agriculture in highly Challenging Environments is a two-year research project (2025–2027) funded under the PRIN 2022 program of the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), within the framework of the European Union’s NextGenerationEU initiative.

FACE brings together leading Italian research units from POLIBA, UNIBZ and POLITO to advance the next generation of robotic technologies for agriculture in sloped, rugged and hard-to-access terrains. Orchards, vineyards and forested areas present unique operational challenges where conventional machinery is inefficient or unsafe; FACE addresses these issues through robotics, applied mechanics and precision agriculture.

The project focuses on three core pillars:

• Terrain Awareness: Using wheels, tracks and intelligent running gears as tactile sensors to help robots detect and interpret the terrain they traverse.

• Self-Awareness: Developing dynamic models, stability indicators and rollover-prevention strategies to ensure safe operation on steep or irregular surfaces.

• Adaptive Traction Control: Creating control algorithms that work across different chassis and locomotion architectures, improving efficiency and versatility.

To achieve these goals, FACE develops, characterizes and compares three electric Agri-Unmanned Ground Vehicles (AUGVs) available in the partner laboratories. These technologies aim to support safer, more sustainable and more efficient agricultural practices while minimizing environmental impact and labor risks.

By integrating robotics, mechatronics and agroecology, FACE contributes to shaping the future of precision agriculture in some of the most demanding environments.