Belgian tech company Heliovision has developed Funghii, an AI-driven solution tailored to the mushroom industry. Combining smart software with hardware such as cameras and sensors, the system continuously monitors crop growth. It captures key data from growing rooms: taking hourly images of beds, tracking temperature and humidity levels, and more. This information is then processed in real time and converted into clear overviews, providing growers with valuable insights into the cultivation process.

CEO Emile Derache, a mechanical engineer specialized in robotics, highlights the measurable impact: “Farms using Funghii achieve 10% higher yields – without expanding their growing rooms – and harvest 5% more efficiently. After a year of using our product, many clients see returns that exceed the subscription cost. This is made possible through improved crop monitoring that helps them make quicker, better-informed decisions.”

Smart Monitoring through Computer Vision

But how exactly does Funghii achieve such efficiency gains? Via a secure web application, growers can always follow up on their cells. Since they can access the app through any browser with a personal login, they can even oversee operations remotely and support on-site staff from a distance.

The dashboard presents a clear overview of all collected data – captured and tracked in a way that surpasses the human eye and memory. Derache explains: “While visual growth tracking is extremely difficult for people, our computer vision software excels at detecting subtle changes over time by comparing image series of mushroom beds, especially in the pinning phase. The detected patterns are turned into intuitive visuals for users. For instance, pins and mushrooms are highlighted in either green or red, indicating whether they are still growing. These insights support informed actions, like adjusting certain settings in the cells, ventilating the room, or starting the harvest.” And when warning signs appear – such as poor room conditions or under- or overpinning – the app sends out alerts to prompt fast intervention. “We even offer WhatsApp integration,” Derache adds, “so notifications can also be sent as instant messages.”

Objective Analyses of Farm Strategies

Growers are constantly adjusting different settings in their cells, but it can be hard to see the real effect of those changes on the crops. Funghii tackles this challenge by offering precise, quantifiable data that links specific actions to outcomes. “Our product gives mushroom growers objective insights into what worked well and what didn’t”, Derache notes. “They can, for example, see how temperature adjustments influenced growth, or which initial pin counts led to the highest yields.”

These insights prove valuable both in the long and short term. “Being able to review decisions made months ago clearly supports human memory. But don’t underestimate the value of short-term overviews, either: many growers find it incredibly helpful to scroll through their actions and results from just the past 24 hours!”

Accurate Yield Prediction

Another standout feature of Funghii is its ability to predict yields per flush. Derache explains: “By analyzing bed images taken during the mycelium and pinning stages, we predict how many kilograms per square meter will be harvested at the end of each flush. And we deliver these forecasts 24 hours in advance! Having such precise estimates a full day ahead is a game changer, especially considering mushrooms’ short shelf life. This feature helps farms plan sales more effectively and manage their import and export logistics in time.”

Looking ahead, Funghii aims to extend its forecasting window to five days before harvest, giving farms even more time to prepare. In addition, yield predictions will be expanded to include expected mushroom diameters – an even more complex metric to estimate than total weight. Note that as a subscription-based platform, all updates and new features will be made available to both new and existing users.



From Actionable Advice to Full Automation

Finally, Funghii is set to evolve from a monitoring tool into an advisory system. “Right now, the platform provides all the information, but growers have to interpret it and act on it themselves. In future versions, the tool will offer specific, data-driven recommendations, such as adjusting temperature and humidity levels when growth stalls. Initially, growers will still make the final call based on these suggestions. But we’re already looking further ahead: full automation, where the system independently executes preferred actions, is definitely on the horizon.”

Technology as the Way Forward

Is AI- and data-driven support the future of mushroom farming? “I believe so”, says Derache. “Just a year in, we already have a hundred cameras operating on nine farms across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom – and that number keeps growing. As in any sector: when technology becomes the industry standard, companies will need to adapt or risk falling behind.” But it’s not just about keeping up with the competition, he emphasizes. Above all, it’s about moving forward: “Automation in mushroom farming is no passing trend. Funghii demonstrably boosts yields and profitability. This innovation won’t only benefit individual farms; it has the potential to transform the entire industry!”

Get in Touch

Want to learn more about Funghii? Visit the website or contact the Heliovision team for more information, or to schedule an intake meeting.

- www.funghii.com 
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.