Fruit 4.0 De vruchten van meer technologie

Implementation through an experimental space and a practice network
Innovations in the field of automation and digitalisation are best developed in a collaboration between
enterprises in the fruit sector (producers and their supply chain partners), technology companies
(businesses that are the traditional suppliers to the sector and technology companies that are new in
this sector) and knowledge institutions. One way to achieve that is by working together in an
innovation circle to implement the roadmap. An innovation circle is a collaborative space for
experimentation and practice networking that embeds knowledge and innovation in the field of ICT
structurally in the fruit sector and ensures a good connection between project innovations and
everyday practice.
The challenge of setting up an innovation circle, is, firstly, to find the balance between practical,
appealing and viable business cases, and, secondly, to think from a long-term perspective and to take
up state-of-the-art ICT developments. In other words, both to ensure picking low hanging fruit (quick
wins) to guarantee support and taking steps forwards, as well as working on the orchard of the future
to give returns a boost in the long-term. Only then will it be possible to create coherent and practical
innovations that will improve the fruit sector structurally.
LEI Rapport 2016-004 | 13