The Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) has granted INGENIERIA DE APLICACIONES, S.A. (hereinafter, IDASA) funding for the development of a Research and Development project. (hereinafter, IDASA) funding for the development of a Research and Development project.
The main objective of the REDGOLD research project (Robotised system for the separation of the stigma of the flower in the cultivation of saffron – IDI-20200710) is the development of a new robotised system to obtain the stigma of saffron. The proposal made by IDASA aims to achieve an evolution of the traditional techniques currently used for “la monda” (common term to refer to the work of extracting the stigma), which are predominantly handmade. The main reason for its low level of technology is mainly due to its great fragility, which means that any type of handling by physical contact can lead to its degradation or breakage. Faced with this problem, REDGOLD proposes the design and development of machinery that uses handling methods that do not involve direct contact with the product. Simultaneously to the research and development of the robotic system, in collaboration with the Technological Centre Tecnova, a study will be carried out that will propose a revolutionary change of paradigm in the cultivation of saffron, thanks to the implementation of a model of saffron cultivation under greenhouse that allows intensive experimentation, thus putting an end to seasonality thanks to a staggered production.
The project has been planned for a time frame of 30 months starting in March 2020 and will be carried out by IDASA in the province of Barcelona, with the collaboration of the Tecnova Technology Centre located in Almeria. The development of the project will involve an investment of 521,182 euros. This project is framed within the call for R&D Projects, subsidised by the CDTI, supported by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and co-financed with European Union Structural Funds (ERDF) within the Operational Programme for Intelligent Growth 2014-2020.