xTrap is an automatic IoT trap that monitors trends in the capture of pest insects and provides timely insights into pesticide use, limiting waste and costs and increasing environmental sustainability

xFarm Technologies, a tech company focused on digitizing the agri-food sector, has announced that it has received a €1 million grant from EIC Accelerator, the European Innovation Council's accelerator that supports SMEs and particularly startups developing game-changing innovations. These funds will further support the activities of xFarm Technologies' R&D team on xTrap, a new trap for automatic monitoring of pest insects that relies on IoT (Internet of Things) technology, Machine Learning algorithms and predictive models. The first tranche of funds will be issued in February, in a combination of grants and equity investments. Seventy-five deep tech startups have been selected in all, for a total funding of €400 million.

xFarm Technologies will use the funding to develop xTrap, the automated IoT (Internet of Things) pest insect monitoring trap that made the technology company stand out among 1,092 proposals submitted at the October 2022 cut-off. xTrap is equipped with a high-resolution camera capable of monitoring insect species in a given crop field. xTrap's innovation is based on the Machine Learning algorithm developed by xFarm Technologies, which automatically recognizes and counts insects, and on a predictive model that forecasts trends in infestations of pest insects. This tool allows farmers to check catch trends on a daily basis from both smartphone and computer. It also allows them to receive advice on the timing of phytosanitary treatments to implement, reducing waste, costs and increasing environmental sustainability. Three versions of the solution are currently available: Delta, which uses pheromones; Stink, which allows for counting the passage of insects such as the brown marmorated stink bug; and Color, which employs color sheets. The R&D division of xFarm Technologies does not rule out bringing other models to the market in the future, although the funds granted by the European Innovation Council will be used mainly to implement and upgrade the technology at the heart of the trap, i.e., to improve the algorithm and prediction model.
"xTrap can be a valuable ally for those involved in monitoring, particularly in high-value-added crops, such as grapevines and fruit crops, which are often subject to pest attack. This tool is designed to support the work of technicians at farms, wineries, trade associations, cooperatives and research institutions, who increasingly need comprehensive and 4.0 tools for insect monitoring and control. The main objective that we want to achieve with this funding is to enhance the functions of the algorithm and of the predictive models underlying our xTrap, and to provide a technology capable of saving time and optimizing applications, ensuring savings and greater sustainability," said Martino Poretti, Head of IoT and xTrap project manager.
xTrap autonomously sends the data it collects to the xFarm platform, contributing to the digitization and efficiency of farms and agribusiness supply chains. xFarm Technologies' goal is precisely to commit to an increasingly digital, efficient, and thus more virtuous agriculture in pursuit of economic sustainability and conservation of natural resources. As of today, xFarm is used by more than 150,000 farms around the world for a total of 2 million tracked hectares, and has a presence in 100 countries, operating with great stability in Southern Europe in particular.
xFarm Technologies
xFarm Technologies is a tech company helping the agri-food sector to go digital, providing innovative tools that can support farmers and stakeholders in managing their businesses. As of today, xFarm Technologies supports the work of 150,000 farms, belonging to over 30 supply chains and covering 2 million hectares in more than 100 countries around the world.