Smart Robots for the Forests of the Future – New R&D Partnership with the University of Sopron

“Our team of young researchers is developing a visual navigation model that is considered unique even at the international level. With its help, our robots will be able to navigate easily in challenging environments covered with forests and undergrowth,” said Márk Czimber, Managing Director of SatiNav Robotics.

Under the cooperation agreement with the University of Sopron, the partners are currently working on so-called modular robots built from separate, interchangeable units (modules) that can be easily detached and replaced according to the forestry task. This design provides flexibility, customizability, and easy scalability. The development of such devices is becoming increasingly necessary due to the growing social and economic demand for sustainable technologies, as well as the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation.

“At the University of Sopron, we have a research community with outstanding expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure in drone technology, remote sensing, and digital forestry. These competencies are essential to ensure the success of this research and development project. Our university’s research capacities and the professional preparedness of our colleagues guarantee that this forestry robotics initiative will produce scientifically and commercially significant results at the international level,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Attila Fábián, Rector of the University of Sopron, at the signing ceremony.

As Hungary’s Green University, the University of Sopron plays a key role in national research and development. Together with SatiNav Robotics, the institution aims to design forestry robots equipped with new functions that can provide innovative services to both domestic and international forestry professionals. The company’s development portfolio represents unique innovation in both hardware and software engineering.

“Our development is based on a proprietary modular robot platform, which can be expanded with different units, or ‘modules.’ We have developed a custom, standardized connector system that allows the robots to be quickly adapted to specific tasks—whether it’s field measurements, data collection, or precision operations. Our software background is equally unique: it is built on an innovative visual navigation model, complemented by our own neural mapping process. As a result, our robots will be capable of autonomous navigation and operation even in complex, dynamic environments—potentially anywhere,” explained Márk Czimber, Managing Director of SatiNav Robotics.

The researchers of the University of Sopron and the young engineers of SatiNav Robotics have jointly confirmed their commitment to carry out research and development activities through close cooperation, combining their expertise and resources, and contributing together to shaping the future of forestry robotics.