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Computer Vision-Based Monitoring and Data Integration in a Multi-Trophic Controlled-Environment Agriculture Demonstrator

Author

Listed:
  • Frederik Werner

    (Acheron GmbH, Auf der Muggenburg 30, D-28217 Bremen, Germany)

  • Till Glockow

    (Acheron GmbH, Auf der Muggenburg 30, D-28217 Bremen, Germany)

  • Kai Meissner

    (Acheron GmbH, Auf der Muggenburg 30, D-28217 Bremen, Germany)

  • Martin Krüger

    (Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics (IAI), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany)

  • Markus Reischl

    (Institute for Automation and Applied Informatics (IAI), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany)

  • Christof M. Niemeyer

    (Institute for Biological Interfaces 1 (IBG-1), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, D-76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany)

Abstract

Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) and circular production systems require coordinated monitoring of biological and physicochemical processes across trophic levels. This project report presents the implementation of a multi-trophic controlled-environment agriculture demonstrator that integrates computer-vision-based monitoring with established sensor infrastructure for aquaculture, poultry, plants, microalgae, duckweed, and insect modules. Stereo imaging and RGB-D systems are deployed for non-invasive quantification of fish biomass and plant growth, while continuous water-quality and environmental measurements (e.g., pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, ammonium, temperature, CO 2 ) provide complementary process data. These data streams are synchronized within a shared database architecture to enable cross-module evaluation of nutrient dynamics, growth progression, and operational stability under real facility conditions. The implemented framework demonstrates how computer vision can extend conventional sensor-based monitoring by directly capturing biological performance indicators across aquatic, terrestrial, and microbial domains. While advanced predictive modeling and full digital twin simulation remain future development steps, the realized data-integration architecture establishes a structural foundation for the systematic evaluation of circular indoor food-production systems. The demonstrator illustrates how multimodal monitoring can support nutrient recirculation, transparency of biological variability, and data-driven assessment within controlled multi-trophic environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Frederik Werner & Till Glockow & Kai Meissner & Martin Krüger & Markus Reischl & Christof M. Niemeyer, 2026. "Computer Vision-Based Monitoring and Data Integration in a Multi-Trophic Controlled-Environment Agriculture Demonstrator," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-25, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:6:p:2700-:d:1890113
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