The HortiQD 4th Webinar explores how data enables seamless collaboration between farmers and robotic systems, highlighting the technological advances that make smart, automated agriculture possible. This session brings together experts from SITIA, RESI and Tinexta Innovation Hub to discuss how field data, cloud processing and robotic platforms converge to support more efficient, informed and resilient farming operations.
ABSTRACT
The HortiQD 4th Webinar will feature two expert contributions that explore how data and robotics are reshaping modern agriculture. François‑Xavier Rondeau (SITIA) will open the session with “Reinventing Agriculture: The Power of Data, Robotics, and Human Insight”, addressing the major challenges faced by today’s farming sector—rising demand, climate pressure, and labour shortages—and illustrating how Agriculture 4.0 technologies are transforming field operations. His talk will highlight the evolving role of human expertise in this transition, using the HortiQD project and the TREKTOR robotic platform as concrete examples of how data, machines, and farmers can work together toward more sustainable and efficient practices. Stefano Paolini (RESI S.p.A.) will then focus on the data layer that enables this collaboration in practice, explaining how field information is collected, transmitted to the cloud, processed, and ultimately converted into actionable insights. His contribution will show how robust data pipelines are essential to making human‑robot interaction effective and reliable, and how these processes address the technical challenges encountered within HortiQD. Together, the two presentations will offer a comprehensive view of how integrated hardware, software, and human intelligence can drive the next generation of smart agriculture.
AGENDA
May 21st, 2026
11:00 – 11:10
Welcome and introduction
Opening remarks and introduction to HortiQD Project.
11:10 – 11:40
Reinventing Agriculture: The Power of Data, Robotics, and Human Insight
Speaker: Dr. Françcois-Xavier Rondeau
11:40 – 12:10
Data Platform for Smart Farming: increasing value of sensors’ data through correlation and analysis
Speaker: Dr. Stefano Paolini
12:10 – 12:25
Q&A session
Opportunity for participants to ask questions to the speakers and discuss.
12:25 – 12:30
Closing Remarks
SPEAKERS
Stefano Paolini
Stefano Paolini is a Presale Engineer at RESI Informatica S.p.A. Graduated in Solid-State Electronic Engineering, he has built his career across pre‑sales, consultancy, solution design and product marketing roles. With a strong background in telecommunications, IT and electronics, he leads the design of proposals for Italian and European funded research initiatives and systems integration projects within RESI. His work bridges technical expertise and strategic project development, supporting the deployment of advanced data and sensing solutions in innovation‑driven environments.
François-Xavier Rondeau
François-Xavier Rondeau, an ENSMA engineer (1998), has over 25 years of experience in the design and management of test rigs, integrating various actuators, robots and sensors. Since 2021, he has led the Test Rigs Department at SITIA, after working as a software developper, then R&D Engineer and Project manager. Fluent in English and extensive international assignments, he combines strong technical expertise, multidisciplinary team leadership, and commercial oversight of complex projects.
