Our organisation

The ‘Technologies and Information Systems for Agrosystems - Clermont-Ferrand’ (TSCF) research unit employs 60 staff and is based at 2 sites: the Pôle Scientifique et Universitaire des Cézeaux in Aubière (63) and the Site de Recherche et d'Expérimentation in Montoldre (03). Its activities come under INRAE's MathNum and AgroEcoSystem departments.

Within the framework of agroecology, the research laboratory mobilises engineering sciences and information and communication sciences and technologies to conduct research into methods and tools for agro-environmental systems engineering.

It also conducts research, expert appraisal and testing activities in the field of safety and performance of agricultural equipment to help improve safety in agriculture and reduce pollution of agricultural origin.

The TSCF direction team consists of Roland Lenain (Director - Les Cézeaux site), François Pinet (Deputy Director - Les Cézeaux site), Frédéric Chabot (Deputy Director - Montoldre site).

The laboratory is structured around 5 research themes:
- Environmental analysis and modelling, led by François Pinet and Raphaël Rouveure
- Equipment autonomy and automation, led by Jean Laneurit
- IoT for sober observation, led by Laure Moiroux-Arvis
- Integration and adoption of new technologies, led by Nicolas Tricot
- Innovative methods and tools for the agro-ecological transition, led by Marilys Pradel

Various working groups deal with subjects that cut across the unit:
- Thematic forum (leader: Roland Lenain)
- Unit communication (leader: Johann Laconte)
- Infrastructures (leader: Frédéric Chabot)
- Steering tools (leader: Géraldine André)
- Transition supervision (leader: Guillaume Jeanneau)

The TSCF unit is responsible for the AgroTechnopôle (Director : Philippe Héritier ; project manager : Adriana Sanchez Halleux : Project coordinator : Florent Bonjean),  the platform serving all players in the development of technological and digital solutions for the agro-ecological transition. This is an open innovation platform serving research activities, aimed at all players involved in agriculture, to help them develop their technological and digital solutions. To achieve this, it draws on the multi-disciplinary skills of its Resource Partners, which include: i/ academic laboratories (mainly belonging to the UCA, CEREMA, VETAGRO-Sup, CEREMA, CEA, INRAE, etc.), ii/ its network of innovative companies, and iii/ joint laboratories (e.g. i-SMART). In addition to research, the AgroTechnoPôle's offer also includes engineering, testing and training activities, providing a comprehensive range of services to meet the different needs of the various customers who come to the platform. The targeted fields of application mainly concern technologies for crop production, including equipment (robotised or not) for tillage, sowing, fertilisation, alternative weeding techniques and harvesting. The AgroTechnoPôle aims to accelerate both incremental innovations (improvements to existing machines) and breakthrough innovations (new machines, processes, etc.). It contributes to the development of new tools, machines, and services for the agro-ecological transition, distinguished by their enhanced performance in terms of precision, task execution speed, energy savings and respect for the environment. Created in 2021, the AgroTechnoPôle also includes as Associate Partners a number of Lead Companies, as well as Professional Collectives and Development Structures.