RETINA aims to develop advanced photonic-based sensory systems that combine next-generation hardware and AI-driven software to serve healthcare, automotive, and agriculture applications. By integrating photonics, machine learning, and industry collaboration, the project seeks to deliver adaptable, scalable, and cost-effective solutions for real-world challenges such as surgical imaging, autonomous driving, and precision farming.

Project description

RETINA aims at developing two new photonic-based sensory systems encompassing hardware and software solutions to meet the high added value and customised needs of the healthcare, automotive and agriculture sectors. The project will define a holistic framework for photonic technologies development where specific efforts on next-generation hardware solutions —focused on a novel PIC-based LIDAR solution, and cost-efficient CMOS, InGaAs and QDs snapshot spectral imagers— are coupled with the creation of a digital infrastructure for agile and efficient Machine Learning-based perception algorithms development. RETINA will demonstrate how direct collaboration among photonic solutions developers and manufacturers, data elaboration and AI experts, as well as leading sectorial companies of strategic sectors can steer the agile development of customised sensory systems and their deployment and validation in operational environments. The project will show the potential for adaptability, scalability and transferability of these photonic-based solutions by addressing a range of industrial needs in an efficient and cost-effective manner, namely i) tumorous cells identification and blood perfusion monitoring in surgical applications; ii)advanced ADAS vehicle collision detection systems for autonomous driving; and iii) precision viticulture solutions for hydric status management and prediction of pathogens infections.