Research at the cutting edge
The DigiFor professorship combines research, teaching, and transfer in the field of forestry process digitalization and develops end-to-end solutions along the entire value chain (collecting, understanding, deciding, acting). With the help of state-of-the-art technologies such as UAV LiDAR, AI models, and digital twins, DigiFor is transforming forestry and providing students with practical training to shape the future.
© ThomasPurfürst
DigiFor: Digital changes in the forestry industry
The DigiFor Chair combines research, teaching and transfer in the field of digitalized forestry processes and systems. We develop end-to-end solutions along the entire forestry value chain - collecting, understanding, deciding, acting:
- Capture: precise 3D capture with UAV-LiDAR, terrestrial laser scanning and networked sensor technology; securely integrate machine and operational data (e.g. StanForD).
- Understanding: Data fusion, quality inspection and analytics; AI models for inventory parameters, productivity, risks and quality.
- Decide: Digital twins and XR applications for planning, training and operational support in the field.
- Act: Practical tools (GIS plugins, web apps, mobile apps) and interfaces that really work on farms.
Our infrastructure includes a mechatronics sensor lab, the XRForest Lab, UAV fleets with LiDAR, GNSS RTK, TLS systems and capabilities computing resources. Together with partners from forestry operations, administration, start-ups and industry, we pilot solutions in the real laboratory - from individual digital trees to regional planning. In teaching, we combine theory with practice: students work on real data sets, develop prototypes and actively shape the forestry of tomorrow.