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AI-BOOST Challenge 1 – GenAI-Based Natural Language Mission Generator for Autonomous Robots in Agriculture

Description

This AI-BOOST Challenge aims to develop a Generative AI system capable of translating spoken or written natural language into structured, executable robotic missions for autonomous agricultural robots. The challenge addresses one of the main barriers to wider adoption of robotics in agriculture—the need for specialised programming expertise in robotic frameworks such as ROS. Participants are expected to develop a Vision-Language-Action (VLA) based solution that combines speech, text, visual information and spatial maps to automatically generate robotic missions from human instructions.

The primary objective is to produce a functional Proof of Concept reaching TRL 5, capable of autonomously generating and executing robotic missions in a controlled vineyard environment. Although vineyards are the demonstration use case, the solution should be modular and extensible to other applications such as industrial maintenance, robotic inspection and autonomous field operations.

Funding Amount

The AI-BOOST competition follows a two-stage prize model.

SPARK Phase

  • 5 winners will be selected for Challenge 1.
  • Each winner receives €28,500.

Payment is made in two instalments:

  • 50% after signing the Advance Phase Participation Agreement.
  • Remaining 50% after successfully completing the mandatory Mid-Term Checkpoint.

ADVANCE Phase

  • The five SPARK winners continue into the Advance Phase.
  • One overall Challenge Winner receives: €100,000 following completion of the Advance Phase and final evaluation.

Special Awards

In addition to the main prize:

  • Innovation Excellence Award: €12,500
  • Responsible AI Award: €12,500

A solution may receive both the main Challenge Prize and one Special Award.

Submission Deadlines

  • Call opens: 19 June 2026
  • Application deadline: 25 August 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time (CEST)
  • Applications must be submitted electronically via the AI-BOOST F6S platform. Late submissions are not accepted.

Submission Conditions

Applications must be submitted through the AI-BOOST F6S platform by 25 August 2026 (17:00 CEST). Proposals must comply with the Challenge 1 objectives and the AI-BOOST programme requirements.

  • Submit the application electronically via the F6S platform.
  • Applications must be completed in English.
  • Only one application per applicant is permitted (latest submission is considered).
  • Solutions must address the Challenge 1 scope and target TRL 5.
  • Projects must comply with Responsible AI, ethical and EU legal requirements.
  • Selected participants must complete the SPARK and ADVANCE phases, including mentoring, evaluations and the Final Live Competition.

Eligible Businesses

The call is open to a broad range of innovators capable of developing AI solutions for autonomous robotics, including:

  • SMEs and start-ups
  • Large companies
  • Universities and higher education institutions
  • Research organisations
  • NGOs and non-profit organisations
  • Individual innovators
  • Single legal entities
  • Consortia

Eligible Countries

Applicants must be established in:

  • EU Member States
  • Horizon Europe Associated Countries
  • EU Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)

Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

  • Expected starting TRL (competition level): TRL 2–3
  • Expected final TRL: TRL 5

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to deliver:

  • A functional Proof of Concept achieving TRL 5.
  • A Generative AI system capable of translating natural language into executable robotic missions.
  • A Vision-Language-Action model integrating speech, text, visual information and spatial mapping.
  • Autonomous mission generation and execution within a controlled vineyard environment.
  • Intent recognition accuracy of at least 90%.
  • Task execution success rate of at least 85%.
  • High robustness to linguistic variability.
  • A modular solution capable of future deployment in additional domains such as industrial maintenance, robotic inspection and autonomous field operations.
  • Validation on a physical robotic platform using real-world vineyard datasets.

Scope

Projects should develop a Generative AI solution capable of converting natural language commands into executable robotic missions for autonomous agricultural robots. The solution should leverage Vision-Language-Action (VLA) models capable of integrating multiple input modalities, including speech, text, images and spatial maps.

Applicants are expected to design algorithms that:

  • interpret spoken and written user instructions;
  • understand visual and environmental context;
  • generate structured robotic commands;
  • execute robotic missions autonomously;
  • validate their solution on a physical robotic platform operating within vineyard rows.

Participants will receive labelled vineyard datasets and final validation will take place on a real robotic platform located at the JOiiNT LAB facilities in Italy. The developed system should be capable of achieving high robustness to linguistic variability while maintaining reliable autonomous task execution.

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