Södra rolls outs AI system for operator support during harvesting

Södra and Nordic Forestry Automation AB have signed a letter of intent to roll out operator support for thinning carried out under Södra’s supervision. The system will also be able to collect data for each individual tree for future planning and analysis. Roll out and installations are scheduled to start in the second half of 2025.

AI company Nordic Forestry Automation (NFA) is developing the next generation of operator support for forest machines based on sensor technology from autonomous vehicles and AI algorithms. In 2023, Södra became a shareholder in the company through Södra Ädla and has actively supported and followed the development of the system since then.

“More innovation is needed in forestry and NFA shows clearly that new technologies can make a difference and be valuable for forest estates. A major advantage is the breadth of the innovation. It gives us thinning support, while the data collected can form the basis for future planning and decisions. This is a good example of Södra joining forces to add value for forest estates,” said Magnus Petersson, Head of Contractor and Technology Development at Södra.

Promoting growth and profitability

NFA’s operator support will be installed in harvesters operated by Södra and the goal is to commence roll out and installations in the second half of 2025.

“Södra has been one of our main partners in the development of our technology from the start. With good advice and clear requirements, they have helped us develop as a company. The fact that we’ve now come so far that we can set a launch date for our first product is an important milestone for the company and proof that we are well on our way to realising our vision of helping machine operators do a good job every time and create strong and vigorous forests,” said Lars Svensson, CEO Nordic Forestry Automation.

The operator support provides revolutionary potential for local adaptation in the forest, making it easier to carry out forest management correctly, thus promoting growth and increased profitability, while providing valuable and effective protection for natural and cultural heritage sites. Thinning a forest involves constant decision-making for the operator about which, and how many, trees to harvest in order to best promote the various values of the forest. This is important for the long-term development of forests, but is usually done manually at present, based on the experience of the individual operator.

Cloud services are also linked to the system, which means that the data collected for each individual tree can be saved for future planning and analysis. The data collected for the trees is delivered to the forest owner in a report that shows the thinned and saved trees, and that the thinning operation has been optimised according to the local growing power in the stand. The position of the saved trees is shown to the nearest centimeter. This provides greater transparency, quality assurance of the harvesting and new opportunities for forest owners to use alternative management methods.

“Our collaboration with NFA is a clear example of how Södra, through Södra Ädla, can help to accelerate development and verify technology that directly benefits and creates value for forest estates. This is just the beginning and we are looking forward to continuing to support the development of the company,” said Erik Madeyski Bengtson, Investment Manager Södra Ädla.

About Nordic Forestry Automation

AI company Nordic Forestry Automation (NFA) is developing the next generation of operator support for forest machines based on sensor technology from autonomous vehicles and AI algorithms. The technology provides revolutionary potential for local adaptation in the forest, making it easier to carry out forest management correctly, thus promoting growth and increased profitability, while providing valuable and effective protection for natural and cultural heritage sites.

About Södra Ädla

Södra Ädla is Södra’s investment company, with a mission to invest in innovative companies that present members of Södra with new opportunities for their forest ownership, and that can lead to increased profitability and success. We want to lead advances in forestry and through our subsidiary Södra Ädla, we are strengthening our work with innovation and development of the forest.

Södra was founded in 1938 on the idea that we are stronger together. We are now the largest forest-owner association 
in Sweden, with more than 50,000 family forest owners as members. Together, the members of Södra own a world-leading industrial operation that processes forest raw material into renewable products such as pulp, timber, building systems, liquid bioproducts and energy. About 3,400 people are employed in our forest industry and in 2023, Södra generated sales of SEK 29billion. Our products are exported all over the world and together, we are contributing to a more natural way of living. Rooted in the forest, we grow the future.

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