place for experimentation and new technologies

What does the future of agriculture and horticulture look like? Smarter, more autonomous, and more sustainable, but above all: developed collaboratively. At Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, that future is taking on increasingly concrete form.

Within Brightlands High Tech Agro, partners are working on developing the use of robots, drones, and autonomous systems in agriculture and horticulture. On June 24, 2026, Phase 1,funded by the North Limburg I Regional Deal, was officially launched at Brightworks on the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo: a place where there is room for experimentation and new technologies are tested.

In addition, Phase 2 is set to begin. Thanks to funding from the North Limburg Regional Deal II, further development is possible, and the university and its partners can continue to expand their research into robotics and artificial intelligence for autonomous systems in horticulture. A new facility currently under development is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.

Brains for machines
The urgency to innovate in the agricultural sector is growing. Due to the rising demand for sustainable food and the associated need for (scarce) labor, the horticulture sector is facing major changes in which digitization and robotics will play a key role.

Brightlands High Tech Agro positions itself at the intersection of research and application. Cyriel Mentink, Director of Campus Development at Maastricht University: “Brightlands High Tech Agro is a hub where data converges. We’re building the brains for machines that will soon be used in greenhouses or in the fields.”

Research into that data is currently getting underway. Cyriel: “What data is needed for smart solutions, and how do you integrate that data into smart machines so that they can operate as autonomously as possible, on their own, with other machines, and with people? The new facility will be a playground where we can experiment and build together to find the answers to these questions.”

Expanding infrastructure
Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo and Maastricht University are continuing to expand the infrastructure, exploring partnerships, and developing research initiatives. Part of this effort is the construction of a second facility, which consists of a greenhouse for autonomous cultivation combined with an advanced robotics lab.

In the future, Maastricht University will integrate the new facility with the Nick Bos Greenhouse, where scientists are conducting fundamental research on plant growth and genetics.

Connection to the logistics and manufacturing industries
Autonomous technologies for agriculture and horticulture can also contribute to two other prominent sectors in North Limburg: logistics and the manufacturing industry. Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo and Maastricht University are proactively seeking collaboration with these sectors, as well as with other regional educational and research institutions.

René Kurvers, R&D Program Manager for Tomorrow’s Food at Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo: “We are building an ecosystem where researchers, students from various disciplines, and entrepreneurs come together not only to exchange ideas and knowledge, but also to work on the development and application of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensor technology. This is where theory and practice converge.”

Technology as a connecting layer
Horticulture specialists, greenhouse builders, installation companies, data specialists, and automation experts must come together to create sustainable, efficient food systems. This collaboration is part of a broader movement in the agricultural sector, in which technology increasingly serves as a connecting layer between disciplines to build horticultural systems for the future.

A holistic approach leads to the mutual reinforcement of innovation and progress. Previous events and lectures focused on building an AgriTech community have also shown that it is precisely this connection between companies, research institutions, and the government that is essential for making progress.

Source: Brightlands

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