The technological revolution in agricultural and industrial soil maintenance has arrived with SUNROVER, an innovative solution composed of swarms of industrial and autonomous robots running on solar energy. These robots are designed to replace the use of glyphosate and other traditional equipment in areas of complex and extensive vegetation, such as vineyards, orchards, photovoltaic farms and transportation networks.
Vitirover: a solution for the ecological maintenance of vineyards
Vitirover is a robot designed for the maintenance of vineyards and other crops by reducing the use of chemicals. This robot, which operates autonomously, is capable of mowing the grass between the rows of vines, thus limiting the need to use herbicides. It moves slowly through crops, cutting grass at a preset height, while avoiding obstacles thanks to its sensors.
This mode of operation is particularly beneficial for the environment. By eliminating the need for herbicides, Vitirover contributes to the protection of soil biodiversity and the preservation of the quality of groundwater, often contaminated by chemicals used in conventional agriculture. In addition, by using solar energy to recharge, this robot minimizes its carbon footprint, making it a solution particularly suited to sustainable agricultural practices.
Efficiency and autonomy
One of the great advantages of Vitirover is its autonomy. Designed to operate continuously, it can maintain large areas without human intervention, allowing farmers to concentrate on other tasks. This robot is equipped with solar panels, which allows it to recharge while working, thus ensuring almost unlimited autonomy during the day.
Thanks to its autonomous navigation capabilities, Vitirover is also able to adapt to different types of terrain, whether in hilly vineyards or orchards. This versatility makes it a valuable tool for many types of farmers looking to adopt more environmentally friendly practices.
SunRover: a new generation of agricultural robots
Following the success of Vitirover, the company developed SunRover, a new model designed to meet the needs of larger-scale crops. SunRover takes up the basic principles of Vitirover, but with an expanded action capacity, making it particularly effective for the maintenance of large agricultural areas.
SunRover is equipped with advanced technologies for better performance over large areas. Its modular design allows it to be used in different configurations, depending on the specific needs of agricultural operations. For example, it can be programmed to work in swarms with other SunRovers, covering thousands of hectares without any human intervention.
Solar energy and artificial intelligence
Like its predecessor, SunRover runs on solar energy, making it an energy-independent solution. This model also integrates artificial intelligence systems to optimize its routes and performance based on terrain conditions and vegetation density.
AI allows SunRover to learn from its environment, improving its ability to avoid obstacles and manage complex terrain. In addition, this technology allows it to adapt to climatic or seasonal changes, guaranteeing maximum efficiency throughout the year.
Implications for sustainable agriculture
A significant reduction in CO2 emissions
The use of robots like Vitirover and SunRover in agriculture can contribute to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. By replacing traditional agricultural machinery, often powered by fossil fuels, with solar-powered robots, farmers can reduce their carbon footprint while maintaining a high level of productivity.
In addition, these robots contribute to the reduction of indirect emissions linked to the production, transport and application of chemicals, such as herbicides. The overall environmental impact is therefore significantly reduced, making agriculture not only greener, but also more economically viable in the long term.
Agriculture respectful of biodiversity
The adoption of technologies like Vitirover and SunRover fits perfectly into an approach to biodiversity conservation. By avoiding the use of herbicides, these robots help preserve local flora and fauna, thus promoting a more balanced ecosystem. Soils, less disturbed by chemicals, retain their natural fertility, which is essential for sustainable agricultural production.
In addition, by minimizing human intervention in maintenance processes, these robots reduce the risk of disturbing natural habitats and contribute to the preservation of local species. This approach is crucial in regions where intensive agriculture has had devastating effects on local ecosystems.
The benefits
SUNROVER technology offers many environmental benefits, including:
- Sustainable energy production: Each robot can generate up to 100 kWh of energy during its lifetime, allowing it to operate autonomously without the need for external energy sources.
- Low CO2 emissions:Over its life cycle, a SUNROVER robot emits only 32 gCO2 eq/kWh or 144 gCO2 eq/Ha, which represents a carbon footprint 12 times lower than that of an electric mower and 50 times lower than that of a petrol mower.Reduced energy consumption: With a consumption of only 30 W per robot, these devices represent a very energy-efficient solution.
- Savings in operating costs: in vineyards, the use of the SUNROVER service can generate savings of at least 15%. If the robots are purchased, the return on investment is achieved in three years, with significant savings thereafter thanks to the low operating costs.
- Improvement of the company’s image: In addition to financial savings, the adoption of this technology improves the company’s image in terms of ecology, respect for the environment and human health, by eliminating the use of chemicals and physically demanding work.
- Applications SUNROVER robots are used in a large number of sectors:Photovoltaic farms: The robots allow non-intrusive remote control of vegetation.
Arboriculture and orchards:
tangerines, citrus fruits, apricots, apples, pears, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, bananas, olives and other crops grow peacefully under the supervision of robots.
- Vineyards: the All-terrain robots operate without restriction, ensuring precise and efficient maintenance.
- Railways and transport networks: they provide extremely precise and safe control of vegetation, clearing railway tracks and high-voltage electrical poles.
- Innovation and sustainability Since 2011, SUNROVER has positioned itself as a disruptive player in technological innovation for high-precision viticulture and related sectors. The company has expanded its technology internationally, applying it in various areas where vegetation control is a constant challenge, from vineyards to electrical transmission networks.
- SUNROVER represents not only a breakthrough in plant care technology, but also a commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact, offering solutions that are both effective and environmentally responsible. Technical characteristics
DIMENSIONS / WEIGHT
Length x width x height: 75 cm x 39 cm x 29 cm
Weight: 18 kg
MOTION
Autonomous: movement management software for total coverage of the terrain
- Intelligent: Detects obstacles to get as close as possible and go around them, less than 1.25 cm from the obstacle (no risk of damaging the vines).
- Drive: 4-wheel drive
Motor: 1 motor per wheel
- Maximum slope: 15%.
- Speed: 305 meters per hour
- CUTTING SYSTEM
- Grass type: All types of grass
- Cutting block: 2 or 3 rotary grinders
- Cutting width: 32 cm
Cutting height: adjustable from 4.2 cm to 10.2 cm
- Accuracy: < 0.6 cm from the obstacle
- CUTTING SPEED
- Around 13 days per cycle for a 1 hectare plot (around 12 cycles per mowing season)
- AREA COVERED
- (Depending on plot type, number of obstacles/hectare, slope, soil type, etc.)
By robot: ~1 hectare
- Per herd: approximately 50 hectares
HERD INFORMATION Number of robots per herd: 50
- One breeder per herd
- POWER SUPPLY
Primary: 1 solar panel
- Secondary: rechargeable battery
- Power consumption: ~20 W
GPS SYSTEM
- 2 GPS systems on the robot
- Detection accuracy: centimeter (RTK) or metric
- Optional multi-channel RTK (GPS, GLONASS, BEIDOU, GALILEO)
WEATHER RESISTANCE
- Resistant to all weather conditions
- UV protection
- Tropicalization
ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
- CO2 emissions: None
- Chemical contamination: None
- Compliance: Meets WEEE and ROHS standards
ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
- Remote freeze via app
- Anti-theft security: GPS tracking system with 15 days of autonomy.
- Anti-theft security: permanent GPS geolocation
ORIGIN
- Designed in France
- More information:
- www.vitirover.fr