Dr João Valente

Dr. João Valente currently serves as a Tenured Scientist in UAVs, Robotics & AI at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and heads the Social Artificial Intelligent Drones Lab (Social Drones Lab) at Wageningen University. After receiving his PhD in Robotics and Automation from the Polytechnic University of Madrid in 2014 with cum laude, he has established himself as a leading expert in agricultural robotics and drone technology. His career spans over 15 years in UAVs and field robotics, during which he has authored more than 50 publications and developed innovative solutions for agri-food and ecological management challenges. His research focuses on creating intelligent flying machines that can touch, smell, and see, while making drone technology more accessible to farmers and ecologists. He leads several major research initiatives, including the NWO projects MARS4EARTH and FIELDS2COVER, and the H2020 FLEXIGROBOTS project. Under his leadership, the Social Drones Lab has pioneered concepts like the Cyborg Farmer, presented at the 2020 Dutch Design Week, and developed the popular MOOC "Drones for Agriculture." His team includes 2 postdoctoral researchers, 6 PhD students, and numerous MSc and BSc students, and he has supervised over 20 MSc students across multiple disciplines. His exceptional contributions to the field have been recognized with three awards for his PhD thesis in both academic and industrial sectors, and his work continues to bridge the gap between advanced drone technology and practical agricultural applications.