SmartForest: Bringing Industry 4.0 to the Norwegian forest sector

In SmartForest we work with the digitalization of the Norwegian forest sector to enable the next leap in efficiency and environmental performance of the forest sector. This is possible by enabling technologies (drones, remote sensing data, sensors, machine data, robotics, blockchain, and digital twinning) and their deployment in the forest sector, leading to innovations, improved efficiency, and new business models. SmartForest operates with six key applications areas for digitalization in the forest-based value chain: (1) Forest resource information: where different sources of remotely sensed data are combined resulting in improved continually updated forest information. In 2023, we have, among other things, worked on improved assessment of forests and forest measurements from laser data with a high point density. (2) Precision silviculture: where cost-efficient and potentially semi-automated treatments such as precision regeneration or fertilization are developed and implemented for increased growth rates. In 2023, we have, among other things, worked with GPS-equipped planting equipment for better documentation and implementation of regeneration . (3) Digitally-enabled forest operations: where improve production efficiency and reduced environmental impacts are achieved through application of digital tools to better plan forest harvesting, to improve machine operator performance, and ultimately to automate or semi-automate some components of forest harvesting. In 2023, we have, among other things, worked on the accuracy of positioning systems on harvesting machines. (4) Precision wood supply: where the value of harvested wood is maximized through optimization of sensor-generated information on wood quality throughout the supply chain, and the supply fluctuations are reduced through improved planning with new digital tools. During 2023, we have worked on the development and testing of tools for precision monitoring of the forest road's condition and maintenance needs. (5) Traceability and certification: where full traceability of each log from stump to end product is enabled though application of sensors and tracking technologies and the information is utilized to improve certification procedures. In SmartForest we develop a prototype system for automated recording of environmental impacts during harvest. Alongside the development of prototype systems for automated registration of environmental impacts during felling, work was also done on the use of deep learning models to automate tasks within the measurement of timber and timber loads. (6) The digital value chain: where new and existing digital tools and systems are connected in forming the foundation for all actors to share and access data and information, and in this way optimize the whole value chain performance. SmartForest works with further develop and use of frameworks and interfaces for data sharing and insight along the value chain. ForestSens is a cloud-based platform for implementing algorithms for artificial intelligence in forestry based on data flows from the entire forest value chain. ForestSens is continuously expanded and new results are implemented.

The working hypothesis behind SmartForest is that the next leap in efficiency and environmental performance of the forest sector will be enabled by digitalization and knowledge-based management. In SmartForest a series of enabling technologies (drones, remote sensing data, sensors, machine data, robotics, blockchain, and digital twinning) are deployed in the forest sector, leading to innovations, improved efficiency, and new business models. SmartForest operates with six key applications areas, implemented as work packages, for digitalization in the forest-based value chain: (1) Forest resource information: where emerging different sources of data are combined resulting in improved continually updated forest information, (2) Precision silviculture: where cost-efficient and potentially semi-automated treatments such as precision regeneration or fertilization are developed and implemented for increased growth rates, (3) Digitally-enabled forest operations: improve production efficiency and reduce environmental impacts by applying digital tools to better plan forest harvesting, to improve machine operator performance, and ultimately to automate or semi-automate some components of forest harvesting, (4) Precision wood supply: where the value of harvested wood is maximized through optimization of sensor-generated information on wood quality throughout the supply chain, and the supply fluctuations are reduced through improved planning with new digital tools, (5) Traceability and certification: where full traceability of each log from stump to end product is enabled though application of sensors and tracking technologies and the information is utilized to improve certification procedures, and (6) The digital value chain: where new and existing digital tools and systems are connected in forming the foundation for all actors to share and access data and information, and in this way optimize the whole value chain performance.