A new robot may soon have a hand in tending to the grapes it takes to make that glass of wine you might enjoy with dinner.
The invention of Guy Julien and Christophe Millot, Wall-Ye V.I.N. stands 20 inches tall, travels on four wheels like a mini-tractor, and has two mechanical arms, the ends of which can accommodate a number of tools. It can handle manual tasks such as pruning vines and de-suckering grapes -- both of which take a considerable amount of time and effort.
Vineyard owners and managers can program Wall-Ye's artificial intelligence to perform these and other tasks, including the collection of monitoring of information about plant health and the soil in which the vines are growing, according to its inventors.
The Wall-Ye robot, the invention of Guy Julien and Christophe Millot, can travel freely around a vineyard and collect and record information about vines, including their location and health, courtesy of artificial intelligence. The robot also can replace humans for the labor-intensive tasks of pruning vines and de-suckering grapes. (Source: Wall-Ye)
GPS, sensors, cameras, and mapping technology allow the robot to move between rows of vines, measure the distance between vines, recognize plant features, and record data. In this way, Wall-Ye also knows where it's supposed to work, and it won't start if it finds itself in the wrong place (for example, if it has been stolen).
Wall-Ye's inventors are taking it on a vineyard tour around Europe to demonstrate its merits to winemakers, who are finding it increasingly difficult to find the workers they need.
Engineers and farmers are beginning to see the benefits of robotics in their picking and harvesting efforts. The Clever Robots for Crops (CROPS) program also is working to foster sustainable agriculture by creating an intelligent robotics platform that can identify and harvest specific types of crops, including wine grapes. The project, a collaboration among universities from a number of countries, is working on technology for a modular intelligent sensing and manipulation platform to harvest grapes and other "high value" crops, such as greenhouse vegetables and orchard fruits.
Using robots for repetitive and laborious manual tasks also is the idea behind another machine we discussed recently: a Beijing chef's noodle-slicing robot, which is now being used in restaurants in China.
Some how the juxtaposition of the the beautiful, tranquil vineyards with a high-tech looking robot is a bit jarring. However, I'll take whatever innovation possible to make sure that glass of wine is ready for dinner. On a serious note, it really seems like the robotics industry is turning a corner. You can't read anything these days (even mainstream news sites) without happening upon some new robotics invention that isn't aimed at high-tech applications like aerospace or the military, but rather plain old worker tasks like this one. Pretty exciting times.
Beth, this could have lots of other applications in agriculture as well. In many parts of the world it is harder to find workers who want to do this type of thing. With all the other mechanziation on the farm, I would expect farmers would welcome it.
Here in CA, several farmworkers died of heat stroke this year. it's dangerous work. Robots like these can help during extreme conditions but if it isn't cost effective, farmers won't buy in.
The research is great. I can't wait to hear the final conclusions when the project ends in 2014.
This harvesting robot is good and bad. Good in that it allows harvesting in most any kind of weather and/or conditions without risking humans. Bad in that it may take the place of people who could/would do that kind of work.
Elizabeth, what is the expected cost of this robot?
Good point, Naperlou. This is indeed the future of manual labor, which is why education will be so important for those laborers who could be displaced.
This is a great use of technology to help with a manual labor task. With the advances of tractor designs, a single farmer can harvest 100 acres in a few hours. This was unheard of in recent past. The ability of the robot to navigate rough terrain and harvest may bring this speed of harvest to vineyards as well.
it is pretty confirmed fact that ultimately robotos with advancement in AI techniques would take care of almost every field. helping the agri field is jus one of the example of it. but as far as robotic development is concern the high cost of the advanced sensory systems and power back up for a long run is a really a constrin.
I would consider the artificial intelligence involved in this robot to be quite advanced. It was my notion that a human would be needed for pruning and de-suckering a vine, as this is somewhat subjective to a vintner's experience. If this is accomplished robotically, I am impressed.
This continues to affirm my belief that automation and robots will continue to take over more and more of our repetitive manual labor tasks. Today, it is commonplace to use machines to check out at the grocery store or perform our ATM banking (displacing many grocery store clerks and bank tellers). Articles like this one and the robotic lawn mower point to the next generation of automation trends.
Computer-robotic technology is finally reaching the point where most repetitive and menial tasks no longer need human labor. Problem is - we do not have even an inkling of how to deal with it. Where are the social, political, educational and economic institutions that can make these incredible technological advances benefit the human race? So far, the vast riches that these advances have generated have simply mushroomed the divide between rich and poor, and now between rich and poor-middle class.
So far, those of us with good jobs are feeling great about technology, but there will come a time in the near future when we won't have to be doing our work either, and unless the democratic process and the free market system can adapt to this new reality, I see an unpleasant dystopian future.
By refining topologies and using new fluid technology, Moog's new peak sine drive controller increases available power without increasing controller volume.
Two new introductions in the world of motion drives for automation are moving toward use of standard Ethernet communications, eliminating the use of custom hardware.
From Dell / Intel® New Paradigms in Design Work Scott Hamilton, vertical market strategist for Dell Precision workstations, 5/2/2013 3
Early in my career, I worked as a draftsman and remember the days of drawing on vellum with numbered pencils and Mylar with plastic lead. This was a fun experience in the sense that I ...
I've been using workstations for more than 10 years and love finding ways to get more performance from my system. With demanding professional applications that require more power each ...
A lasting memory from my first job as an engineer in an auto assembly plant is standing on hard concrete at six in the morning, vending-machine coffee clutched in hand, listening to ...
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is
To save this item to your list of favorite Design News content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This
1 
