Climate change poses challenges for primary industries‘ logistics - € 4.5 million funding for the LEVITOI project

Climate change is changing operating conditions outside the road network worldwide, for example in Finland, rising temperatures and increasing rainfall are weakening the bearing capacity of the soil. 
Agriculture work machines on a field

New technological solutions are needed as the volume of logistics in agriculture and forestry grows globally. The LEVITOI consortium is exploring new machine and equipment solutions to overcome the logistics and handling challenges of primary production. Business Finland has granted EUR 4.5 million € funding for LEVITOI project, participated in by the University of Oulu.

– Our role in this significant project is to probe the solution needs in different market segments and areas, highlights highlights Pekka Leviäkangas, Professor of Infrastructure and Transport at the University of Oulu, – we will refine the market demand data into strategic decision making information for the involved companies.

Nokian Heavy Tyres Ltd, part of the Nokian Tyres Group, is involved in this project researching the performance and potential of its advanced smart tires among agriculture, forestry and heavy transport end uses.

– In this project, our special interest is in soft terrains such as fields and forest floors, and in identify-ing the special features of these terrains. The information obtained through the smart tire can play a significant role in preventing excessive soil compaction and possible damages both in the forest and on unpaved roads, says Mika Haapalainen, Development Manager at Nokian Tyres.

– LEVITOIproject strengthens the know-how in agriculture and forestry work machine technology, especially the ability to rapidly introduce new and tested products to relevant market segments, says Jukka Säkkinen, Director of the NUVE-LAB Research Group at Oulu University of Applied Sciences.

LEVITOI Consortium comprises: Nokian Tyres plc, Sampo-Rosenlew Oy, Junkkari Oy, West Coast Roadmaster Oy, Mevea Oy, Metsäteho, Pro-Agria, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Lap-peenranta-Lahti University of Technology, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and University of Oulu.

Read more on the Oulu University of Applied Sciences site

Last updated: 4.2.2022