Vinitech-Sifel is entering a very exciting period as the jury for the Innovation Awards prepares to meet this Thursday, September 5th, to determine the much-anticipated winners of the 2024 edition.
02 September at 17:00
In viticulture and arboriculture, controlling vegetation is a challenge
Sébastien Labat, Marketing and Sales Director at VITIROVER, presents the VITIROVER robot, a revolution in agricultural soil maintenance.
The meeting of two enthusiasts from very different backgrounds has brought high-tech innovation to the wine industry. As a result, VITIROVER has become one of the world's leading innovators in the field of high-precision viticulture, offering ultra-innovative solutions for soil maintenance and weed control.
1/ Can you tell us about the main innovation you're presenting at this year's Vinitech-Sifel 2024?
We're presenting a new version of the 100% autonomous all-terrain Robot Trimmer Vitirover. This new version has been designed to be mass-produced on the assembly lines of the former Ford factory in Blanquefort (now MMT Bordeaux). Given that we need 1 robot per hectare of vineyard, this enables us to manufacture sufficient quantities to now operate as a true robot manufacturer, selling its robots via an international distribution network including importers, distributors and local installation firms.
2/ Why is this innovation crucial for the wine industry?
Vitirover is a professional all-terrain robotic mower that continuously cuts vegetation in and under vine rows. The Vitirover robot is autonomous and solar-powered, avoiding soil compaction, vine breakage and the use of costly and polluting fuel by large tractors. It replaces glyphosate and avoids the tedious and time-consuming work of mowing. It's going to get harder and harder to do without it in the years to come !
3/ What are the latest developments and trends in your field?
Agricultural robotics are evolving quite rapidly at the moment. On the other hand, it is giving rise to large robots which are in fact the equivalent of large tractors or autonomous tool carriers. They have the advantage of automation, except for legislation which prevents them from being left unattended, but the disadvantages of large tractors: soil compaction, vine breakage, the need for a pilot or supervisor nearby. We believe that the future lies rather in the development of small, lightweight, risk-free professional robots, whose mass production will gradually reduce costs, reminiscent of vacuum cleaners, logistics robots or garden robots for the home.
Meet them at Vinitech-Sifel, November 26-27-28, 2024
HALL 1 - D1310 Cultivation techniques
