Autonomous Vineatrac tractor combines agility and innovation
Swiss company STEVmotion has developed the Vineatrac, a fully autonomous and highly versatile tractor specifically designed for vineyard operations. Thise machine has already been successfully adopted by a wide range of winemakers, showcasing its capabilities and appeal in the viticulture sector.
According to STEVmotion, the Vineatrac’s agility makes it ideal for working in challenging vineyard environments, such as those with steep slopes or narrow rows. The manufacturer claims that the Vineatrac offers significant benefits in terms of safety, quality, and cost-efficiency, addressing many of the common issues that winemakers face with traditional mechanised equipment.
The Vineatrac is powered by a 27 HP gasoline engine coupled with a hydraulic transmission. It has a maximum speed of 5 km per hour and is capable of working on slopes up to 60%, making it highly effective in hilly vineyards where conventional tractors might struggle.
The tractor’s navigation system primarily uses GPS RTK and Lidar technology. Field mapping is required before use, allowing the Vineatrac to be properly configured for the specific layout of the vineyard.
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Challenges with existing mechanised equipment
Using its proprietary software, the system is set up to manage tasks such as controlling each row’s inlet and outlet, as well as handling complex U-turns. Once configured, the system takes over, utilising sensors to autonomously navigate and operate the tractor. The vehicle’s safety features include Lidar technology for obstacle detection and a safety wire surrounding the vehicle to ensure safe operation in the field.
The Vineatrac is compatible with a Category 1 three-point hitch and includes a range of hydraulic features. It has a hydraulic PTO delivering 30 litres per minute (~15 horsepower) and comes with one hydraulic power outlet (30 L/min at 150 bar). Additionally, it includes four double-acting hydraulic outlets (10 L/min at 180 bar). These interfaces can be controlled either electronically via the onboard system or manually with a remote control.
The Vineatrac was created by founder Marc Stevanin, who is an engineer deeply involved in viticulture through his wife, a winemaker and cellar worker. Stevanin’s experience in the vineyard environment led him to recognise the challenges that winemakers face with existing mechanised equipment.
Critical issues faced by winemakers
The first prototype of the Vineatrac was developed and presented to a panel of experts in May 2021, after months of intensive work. According to the company, the autonomous tractor addresses critical issues faced by winemakers during mechanised vineyard tasks. These include minimising soil compaction, reducing labour costs, enhancing operator safety, and providing improved traction on steep slopes. The Vineatrac also helps minimise the physical strain on workers and reduces exposure to treatment chemicals.
After extensive field testing, the Vineatrac robot was unveiled to the public at the Agrovina 2022 trade show in Martigny. This successful presentation gave the project a significant boost, generating interest among industry professionals and potential customers.
At present, the Vineatrac is available for purchase in Switzerland and surrounding regions. The price for the fully-equipped machine is €55,000 (US $59,587 according to the exchange rate of 06-11-2024).
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