In modern-day gerbera cultivation, an autonomous drone will fly around the greenhouse, helping growers count flowers and predict yields. In tomato greenhouses, camera-equipped trolleys roam the aisles, collecting data for accurate yield forecasting, whilst in bell pepper production, pipe rail trolleys are already in use, with growers knowing exactly where each one is at any moment.
All these innovations have one thing in common: they use AxisLink, a smart indoor positioning system designed specifically for greenhouses. The autonomous drone Scandr., developed by Florinco, was the first to take advantage of AxisLink. Now, Florinco is offering the system to other companies as well.
At GreenTech in Amsterdam, Maarten Klerk, co-founder of the innovative company based in the Netherlands, described AxisLink as "an indoor GPS." The system was initially created to allow the Scandr. drone to fly safely and independently inside the greenhouse. At the trade show, both the drone and a pipe rail trolley were on display, each equipped with AxisLink.
© Thijmen Tiersma | MMJDaily.comMaarten Klerk on behalf of Florinco at GreenTech Amsterdam 2025
Accurate location tracking in the greenhouse
One of the key innovations behind AxisLink is its patented combination of a broadband signal and a barometric pressure sensor. Maarten explains, "To make the drone fly autonomously, we use beacons and a tag, a setup that allows the drone to determine its location. By adding a pressure sensor, we can measure the difference in air pressure between the beacon and the tag. This makes our positioning system extremely accurate."
The name AxisLink refers to the combination of the x, y, and z axes. "We link those coordinates together to pinpoint location," says Maarten. "We also make use of the Hortivation Point," the international standard for location referencing inside greenhouses. Every system using AxisLink is automatically assigned a Hortivation Point.
But AxisLink does more than just positioning. It also allows data transfer between systems, or from a system to the internet—hence the "link" in the name. This connectivity makes it easy to integrate with other platforms, which is especially important for systems like Auxin, a digital data analysis platform from Royal Brinkman that was also developed by Florinco.
Preparing for strict crop protection legislation
Florinco and Royal Brinkman also collaborated closely on developing the Scandr. drone. "With our drone, you can detect diseases and pests," explains Maarten. "Thanks to precise location tracking, you can then apply a treatment or release beneficials exactly where they're needed. We offer a solution for precision crop protection, which is becoming increasingly important as regulations tighten."
At the moment, every pesticide application counts as a single use, regardless of whether a grower treats just a few square meters or the entire crop. But because growers are often limited in how many times they can use a particular product, this lack of detailed application data can become a real challenge.
That's where AxisLink makes a difference. The system collects highly accurate location data, allowing growers to show exactly where a crop protection product has been applied. "This could open the door for regulatory changes," says Maarten. "Authorities might say: 'If you log your applications this precisely, then one treatment no longer counts as a full-field application.'" Right now, the law doesn't allow for that level of flexibility, but once it does, Maarten believes it will give growers a strong incentive to invest in precision spraying and biological control.
Applications for new systems
Florinco has recently started offering AxisLink to third-party companies. "You can use the system for any moving equipment inside the greenhouse," Maarten explains. "Think of spray booms, irrigation booms, or mobile systems, but it also works with sensors and camera setups."
The first pilot projects are already up and running, both involving AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). "In sweet pepper cultivation, for example, we're able to track pipe rail trolleys as they move along the path. That opens up new possibilities for precision crop protection. We're currently discussing how to automatically detect thrips infestations. Right now, we're still using a human scout to identify pests, but once thrips are spotted, we immediately know the exact location."
A French tomato grower is already using pipe rail trolleys equipped with AxisLink. "We're also in talks with manufacturers of spray booms, which increasingly feature onboard cameras for data collection. Their current challenge is knowing the exact location where each photo is taken. That's where AxisLink can really make a difference."
© Thijmen Tiersma | MMJDaily.comPipe rail trolley Berg Hortimotive equipped with AxisLink, here as a demo at GreenTech Amsterdam 2025
Further development with drones and location determination in greenhouses
Over the coming year, Maarten and the team at Florinco aim to integrate AxisLink into systems from multiple third-party suppliers. Meanwhile, they continue to develop their Scandr. drone, which is already in commercial use in gerbera cultivation. The drone counts flowers to deliver yield forecasts up to ten days in advance.
"I expect that a year from now, we'll be providing accurate yield forecasts for a significant share of the gerbera sector," says Maarten. "We're working on making those forecasts even more precise. At the same time, we're making progress in using the drone for disease and pest detection in gerbera, and we're already exploring other crops, like anthurium and rose."
Florinco began developing the drone back in 2020, but the company was active in horticulture even before that. "We developed the control system for the Plantalyzer," Maarten explains. Experience from the high-tech industry—particularly from team members who previously worked at ASML—has played a key role in Florinco's success.
The Plantalyzer focuses on yield forecasting, particularly in tomato cultivation, while the Scandr. drone is geared more toward the ornamental sector. However, AxisLink has much broader potential and can be used well beyond horticulture. "For example, in warehouse logistics, our positioning system can also be a valuable tool," Maarten notes.
© Royal BrinkmanScandr. over the gerberas
For more information:
Maarten Klerk
Florinco
[email protected]
www.florinco.nl
