November 20, 2024: “In the context of a skilled labor shortage often driven by the difficulty of agricultural work, this gold medal once again highlights Naïo Technologies’ ability to anticipate the needs of winemakers by providing ever more innovative, efficient, and versatile tools. Robotics not only makes vineyard work more efficient but also more appealing to the younger generations who are drawn to advanced technologies,” explains Aymeric Barthès, CEO of Naïo Technologies.
After winning silver with the JO robot in 2023, Augmented Autonomy, a concept pioneered by Naïo Technologies, secured the gold medal at the 2024 Vinitech–Sifel Innovation Trophy. This CE-certified technology enables Naïo Technologies’ entire fleet of robots to operate safely and unsupervised in the field, thanks to an advanced safety system. It is user-friendly and accessible via the Naïo Companion app, saving producers significant time and allowing them to focus on strategic, high-value tasks.
Naïo Technologies celebrates a decade of innovation in 2024 with its Oz robot, the first 100% electric agricultural field robot. Committed to sustainable and high-performance agriculture, Naïo’s fleet includes four robots, two of which are designed for vineyards: the crawler JO and the straddler Ted, developed in collaboration with the French Institute of Vine and Wine. Ted stands out as the only truly autonomous vineyard straddle tractor, requiring no on-site supervision and capable of being monitored remotely via the Naïo Companion app.
Ted is a versatile robot that performs a variety of tasks, including soil work (ridge removers, inter-row blades, discs, and cultivators) and vine maintenance. The 2025 catalog will introduce the Naotec vine shoot remover, designed to clean vines thoroughly and delicately down to the base of the graft. Additionally, thanks to integrated sensors developed by Chouette, Ted can collect detailed data on vine health, detect diseases, and provide winemakers with actionable insights to improve yields.
This versatility is highly valued by winemakers, as it enhances productivity while making their work easier. Ted’s combined tasks, such as pruning and mechanical weeding, open new possibilities for performing two agricultural operations simultaneously. These advancements optimize interventions, reduce labor time, and pave the way for future combinations, such as soil, vine, and foliage work.
“Ted is an essential machine for vineyards. Its ability to handle multiple tasks and adapt to intensive work cycles makes it a valuable partner in modernizing operations while alleviating the workload for winemakers. The combined work of pruning and mechanical weeding that we tested for the first time globally is a real breakthrough for viticulture. It significantly reduces working time, improves profitability, and ensures the quality of our production,” says Guillaume Merle, CEO of Vitisimport and Naïo distributor in Quebec.
Naïo Technologies will exhibit from November 26–28, 2024, at VINITECH-SIFEL in Bordeaux (Hall 1 C 0309). The company will showcase its Augmented Autonomy concept, the new Naotec vine shoot remover, and ongoing research into combined tasks conducted in Canada.
Aymeric Barthès, co-founder of Naïo Technologies, will be available during the event to speak with journalists. Please contact Ressources de la Nature agency to schedule an interview.
