CTAEX
About
About CTAEX
CTAEX is a nonprofit business association and national agri-food technology centre in Extremadura. Opened in January 2001, it provides applied research, technology services, training and knowledge transfer to agricultural and food-processing businesses. Its work covers production methods, product quality, environmental conservation and technology development.
The centre participates in AGRHOUND with agricultural producers and software and sensing specialists. The project evaluates autonomous quadruped platforms as mobile carriers for sensors and crop-monitoring systems. Research covers navigation, terrain adaptation and the collection of agronomic information, with vineyard work in Valladolid and blackberry cultivation under macrotunnels in Huelva. CTAEX demonstrated the platform moving through its experimental farm in October 2026. The project receives European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Spanish agriculture-ministry support and remains an experimental validation program.
Team
- José Luis Llerena Ruiz - Director and General Secretary - Directs CTAEX and its technology-transfer work with agri-food businesses, including the provincial technological-assistance programme.
- Juan José Manzanero Iniesto - President, representing IBERTABACO - Represents IBERTABACO in the presidency of CTAEX’s governing board.
Timeline
Events
- 2026-10-14 - Demonstration - CTAEX demonstrates AGRHOUND quadruped platform in agricultural field conditions
The platform carries sensors and monitoring systems, with research focused on navigation, terrain adaptation and agronomic data collection. The project evaluates vineyards with Bodegas Familiares Matarromera in Valladolid and blackberry macrotunnels with Social Berries 4.0 in Huelva. The consortium includes SpectralGeo and SOLTEL and receives European FEADER and Spanish agriculture-ministry support.
Source - 2026-09-30 - Partnership - CTAEX to host Badajoz’s provincial robotics and agri-food demonstrator
The EUR 5.0009 million project combines Red.es funding with a contribution from the Diputación de Badajoz. Plans include an Agriculture 4.0 plot, an Agroindustry 4.0 pilot plant and a management and control room. A digital twin would connect agricultural and processing data, allowing businesses to test collaborative robotics, automation and machine vision before investing.
Source - 2026-09-28 - Demonstration - CTAEX reports AGRHOUND crop-monitoring algorithm validation
The research combines quadruped-carried sensors with AI analysis of plant development, vigour, yield estimates and fruit quality. Trials in different growing conditions test navigation and adaptation before broader agricultural use.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- Diputación de Badajoz
Research Infrastructure Partner - CTAEX will host the provincial robotics and agri-food demonstrator using its experimental farm, pilot plants and laboratories.
- Bodegas Familiares Matarromera
Agricultural Research Partner - CTAEX and Bodegas Familiares Matarromera collaborate in AGRHOUND research evaluating quadruped-based crop monitoring in vineyards in Valladolid.
- SOLTEL
Research Consortium Partner - CTAEX and SOLTEL participate in the AGRHOUND consortium researching autonomous quadrupeds and agronomic monitoring.