Description
Bakus are autonomous electric robots that can be utilized for pruning, weeding, and the spraying of pesticides and plant protection products in vineyard operations. Bakus robots operate remotely, and so promise greater hygiene and safety for vineyard workers through the removal of the need for direct contact with pesticides. VitiBot has created a universal platform for the management of many smart devices and power tools, produced both by VitiBot and other manufacturers. Bakus can be integrated with tools owned by the operator, both electric and non-electric, that allows them to suppress the use of herbicides by not directly handling chemicals. Bakus’ autonomous operations in the vineyard can be supervised from a simple smartphone, and can operate in conjunction with other devices in the vineyard, such as recuperator panels. Bakus can perform most soil working tasks in the vineyard under the supervision of an operator, thus reducing the use of phytosanitary products.
Technology
Bakus is a 100 percent electric and autonomous vineyard straddle that can carry out most soil working tasks in the vineyard under the supervision of an operator, reducing or even eliminating the use of phytosanitary products. Bakus is available in two different sizes: Bakus S, for lower narrow grapevines, and L which is taller and wider and is suited to wider high and semi-high vines. The robots operate with full autonomy in the plot. Its 100 percent electric propulsion allows it to traverse vines on difficult slopes (up to 45°) and with complicated inclines (>20°). VitiBot provides training to users during its demonstrations, and uses GPS for navigation control. The company also offers its customers a hotline for help and a domain compliance review to ensure the compatibility of the robot with the user’s vineyard.
Target
The main users of Bakus are medium and large vineyards in Europe and the United States. Bakus is already in use in the largest French vineyards (Champagne, Bourgogne, Provence, Bordeaux, Pays de Loire), and in vineyards in Hungary, Italy and Spain. In 2022, Bakus started working in Napa Valley in the United States, and three new deliveries were made to vineyards in Italy.
Business model
VitiBot proposes financing options for each project, and offers demonstrations in the countries and vineyards in which it has yet to be implemented. The organization also offers year-round rentals with a view to establishing a long-term partnership with farmers, allowing for more flexible financing.
Impact
The company has performed more than 500 demonstrations with the robot on farms in Europe, including those in the Czechia and Portugal, and plans to expand its operations and services across Europe. La Tribune identified VitiBot from among 10 000 start-ups as one of the companies that will “change the world”.
Partners
SAME Deutz Fahr, Reseauentreprendre; Eurotechnologies; bpifrance; ID4CAR; Agence de la transition écologique; L’union Auboise; Bioeconomy for Change; Garton Tractor Inc.
Four Betters
Better production
