Experts in the wine-growing sector take a new step forward with Naïo Technologies
Toulouse – France
23 July 2020
The Ted robot, recognised as an efficient, innovative weeding solution by many wine-growers, is continuing its fine-tuning. The premier viticulture robot is continuing to make a name for itself as its new version is set to work for Hennessy & Bernard Magrez, long-time partners of the manufacturer.
Developed three years ago by Naïo Technologies, a pioneering company in agricultural robotics, Ted is the first autonomous, 100% electric high-clearance tool dedicated to the mechanical weeding of vines. The robot has quickly generated strong interest in the wine-growing sector, which is looking very closely at this solution.
More than twenty Teds are now working in various vineyards. This high-clearance tool, capable of working autonomously among the vines, responds to the sector’s current needs. Ted limits soil compaction and thanks to its mechanical weeding will allow the elimination of allow chemical weedkillers, while still remaining environmentally-friendly thanks to its entirely electric operation.
The robot is therefore continuing to improve in the hands of its wine-growing experts in terms of reliability, autonomy and safety.
“The Bernard Magrez Estate is convinced that robotisation will play a fundamental role in the mechanical maintenance of the land over the next few decades. Electrical power, the absence of greenhouse gas emissions and noise pollution are the main focus of our commitment to the environment. In this, we have developed a 4-year partnership with Naïo Technologies to perfect a robot capable of carrying out the majority of the soil maintenance work among the vines” highlights Arnaud Delaherche, R&D Manager of the Bernard Magrez Estate.
This confidence is reinforced by a common desire to promote an innovative, technological solution already in existence and to prepare it for tomorrow: the Ted robot.
“Within the context of its commitments on sustainable wine growing and to support its partner wine producers, the Hennessy company is testing many different solutions in its vineyards to promote more virtuous wine growing. The R&D partnership project with Naïo Technologies is fully compatible with this approach. The development of the Ted robot is therefore an innovative alternative to the use of weedkillers. Its light weight and adaptability, as well as its electrical operation, are assets in view of the development of sustainable wine growing in the Charente region,” specifies Mathilde Boisseau, Hennessy Vine and Wine Manager.
From July onwards, they will be the first ones to test the new version of the Ted robot before its official launch planned for September.
Naïo Technologies
Anouck Lefebvre
Head of Communications
Naïo Technologies
235 rue de la montagne noire
31750 Escalquens
Tel: +33 6 43 06 64 90
Mail: anouck.lefebvre@naio-technologies.com
About Naïo Technologies
Created by robotics engineers Gaëtan Séverac and Aymeric Barthes in 2011, Naïo Technologies is an Agtech company based in Toulouse which designs, manufacturers and markets agricultural robotics solutions co-built with farmers and consumers. Being people- and environmentally-friendly, these weeding robots can, in particular, compensate for the lack of an agricultural workforce, reduce the drudgery linked with some agricultural tasks and limit the need for chemical inputs. To date, nearly 150 robots are in circulation worldwide, including Oz, designed for diversified market gardeners, Dino for weeding mound-grown vegetables and Ted, for wine growing.
About the Hennessy company
A leading cognac producer, Hennessy has been radiating its exceptional craftsmanship worldwide for more than 250 years. Originating from the spirit of conquest of its founder Richard Hennessy, the brand is present in more than 160 countries. Anchored in the heart of the Charente region, the Hennessy company is also a committed regional economic player, fully involved in the valorisation of the Cognac sector. The company’s success and longevity lie in the quality of its cognacs resulting from a unique transmission process. This premier spirits company gained ISO 14001 certification in 1998 and Maison Hennessy involves the capacity for innovation of all its partners and players in the sector to preserve this exceptional regional terroir. A flagship of the LVMH Group, Hennessy is a major contributor to France’s foreign trade. It exports 99% of its production and participates in France’s international outreach.
About Bernard Magrez
Bernard Magrez’s journey is one of passion, of a constant desire for perfection, craftsmanship and exceptional success which is primarily rooted in Bordeaux, in the Grands Crus Classés and then in the other prestigious terroirs of France and the world. His success is such that the Bernard Magrez Estate is the sole owner of four Grands Crus Classés among the most prestigious appellations of the Bordeaux region (Graves, Haut-Médoc, Saint-Emilion and Sauternes) and 42 vineyards spread throughout 9 different countries. It produces exceptional wines of a rare and consistent quality in these Bordeaux region estates. The methods used in wine-making are both traditional and state-of-the-art and, above all, are always environmentally-friendly. Château Frombrauge, a Grand Cru Classé from Saint-Emilion, is the perfect example of this, with a desire to innovate and develop the use of robotics for carrying out mechanical soil maintenance.
