Constraints on herbicides

The regulatory framework for the use of pesticides is becoming increasingly strict with replacement solutions that are slow to arrive and, unfortunately, often absent. For specialized crops, which are often the neglected ones in research, it becomes impossible to find approved molecules and the slow process of obtaining new AMMs complicates the entire technical itinerary.

Faced with these constraints, mechanical weeding becomes a solution for successful harvesting of crops weakened by synthetic herbicide bans. The tool-carrier Orio has been designed to assist farmers in carrying out weeding operations with great precision. Equipped with an RTK GPS and an autoguidance system with nearly 100,000 hours of experience across the entire Naïo Technologies range, it follows work lines and performs half turns with centimeter precision. A demonstration carried out in the spring on garlic beds proved the benefits of robotics.

Thanks to the Treffler tine harrow garlic’s mechanical weeding matches the expectations, with the added bonus of robotics. Indeed, the performance of the electric tool carrier Orio saves tractor drivers from spending hours on the tractor seat. Capable of covering several hectares per day without consuming fuel, it is also lightweight. On soils that slowly drain, it is necessary to never let the growth of weeds get out of control. Being able to trigger mechanical weeding a few days before the tractor is one of the major advantages of the robot!

Diversity of tools under the robot

Naïo Technologies designed Orio with two main objectives in mind: safety and versatility. Equipped with a safety bubble created by 3 lidars, the 2023 version of the robot avoids intrusions in the area where the tool is working. Simple to set up, it is also easy to equip. It is enough to turn its 4 motorized and directional wheels perpendicularly to its direction of travel to pass over the tool to be attached. Orio is also capable of moving sideways. Its mechanical features are as numerous as the types of tools it can carry, such as cultivators, hoes, harrows, and even precision seeders. To top it off, all the electronic cards and assembly of the robot are made in France!