Unmanned Valley, Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek, and NL Space Campus have received a prestigious award for digital transformation. On the evening of Wednesday, 27 November, the 19th edition of the *Computable Awards* was held at the Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, where the project earned first place.
The project, *Remote Sensing for Floriculture* (RSvS), employs drones, satellite data, and artificial intelligence to detect plant diseases, such as botrytis in tulips and hyacinths, at an early stage. Using advanced sensor technology, it accurately identifies which plants require plant protection products and which do not. This leads to more efficient and sustainable use of resources, reducing both costs and environmental impact.
A Fruitful Collaboration
Over the past year, a consortium from the Duin- en Bollenstreek region—including growers and HAL24K Agri—has worked intensively to successfully test this technology. The drones capture data with millimetre-level precision, and when combined with satellite imagery, they enable targeted searches and even predictive analysis. The results demonstrate how innovations in floriculture can have not only a local impact but also create global opportunities for the sector.
The project stood out in a competition featuring over 40 leading companies, including KPN, NVIDIA, ProRail, Intel, and Adyen. The award was granted thanks to support from both the professional jury and a significant share of the public vote.
Grateful for Recognition
“This award is a fantastic boost for our project and the floriculture sector as a whole. We are incredibly grateful to *Computable* and its readers for this recognition,” said Walter Kort, RSvS project leader. “It’s a testament to the hard work and contributions of everyone involved, including the Municipality of Katwijk, the Economic Board Duin- en Bollenstreek, Holland Rijnland, and all the growers who played a vital role.”
Kort emphasised the importance of such innovations for the future of horticulture, stating that the project’s success paves the way for continued advancements.
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About Unmanned Valley
Unmanned Valley is a campus dedicated to sensor-related technologies and applications. It provides an ideal environment for start-ups, scale-ups, established companies, knowledge institutions, and governments to research, develop, and test drones and other sensor-based technologies. As a unique facility in the Netherlands, its airspace is continuously and flexibly available, with a corridor to the sea enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights over both land and sea in the near future.
Located at the former Valkenburg Naval Air Base, the field lab lies at the heart of a network of companies and institutions shaping the UAV industry. Unmanned Valley is an initiative of TU Delft and the Municipality of Katwijk, supported by contributions from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
More information: [www.unmannedvalley.nl](http://www.unmannedvalley.nl)
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About NL Space Campus
NL Space Campus is the meeting place for the (inter)national space sector, with ESA ESTEC and the universities of Leiden, Delft, and Erasmus as key knowledge partners. It serves as a hub for the space community, fostering collaboration among start-ups, scale-ups, scientists, students, and young professionals. The campus facilitates partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and the application of space technologies across other sectors.
NL Space Campus is home to organisations such as ESA ESTEC, the Space Business Innovation Centre Noordwijk, the Galileo Reference Centre, the Centre of Excellence EGNSS, Space Expo, and various other space-related companies.
More information: [www.nlspacecampus.nl](http://www.nlspacecampus.nl)
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About Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek
Greenport Duin- en Bollenstreek is a cluster focused on knowledge, innovation, entrepreneurship, trade, and cultivation in the flower and bulb economy. Located across the municipalities of Hillegom, Katwijk, Lisse, Noordwijk, and Teylingen, the region’s open landscape supports field cultivation, creating an attractive area for living and recreation. Adjacent areas, such as the agricultural lands between Hillegom and Haarlem, complement this ecosystem.
Greenport contributes to projects, facilitates knowledge-sharing, and fosters connections between stakeholders, including government bodies, entrepreneurs, research institutions, and educational organisations.
More information: [www.greenportdb.nl](http://www.greenportdb.nl)
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End of Press Release
*Not for publication – for more information, please contact:*
Dietmar Lander
T: +31 (0)6 44489331
E: dietmarlander@unmannedvalley.nl
