Row Crop Robots Replace Tractors

Row Crop Robots Replace Tractors TILLAGE EUIPMENT New Tools Naio Technologies’ Orio robot is designed for plowing weeding seeding and tilling primarily in row crops and vegetable beds It’s popular with growers of lettuce carrots parsnips onions cabbage cauliflower various herbs and more “We think of our robots not as tractors but as autonomous tool carriers ” says Christian Melendez Director of Sales North America “One of our priorities at Naio is ease of use so we make our robots cover a wide range of tools ” The Orio uses a self-contained Real-Time Kinematic RTK based GPS system delivering accuracy and precision down to 1 to 2 in     “Because it’s self-contained it requires no external towers This allows even the smallest growers to take advantage of superior RTK technology ” Melendez says The robot features a series of ground shovels packer wheels and rotating fingers and is driven by four 3000-watt 48-volt electrical engines powered by four rechargeable lithium-ion batteries Ground speed of the robot varies from 1 5 mph to 3 mph depending on local regulations but as laws evolve Melendez expects the speed will be increased All of Naio’s robots including the Orio are manufactured in France and are available for purchase in North America “Our market strategy involves a strong dealer network ” he says “Ideally this is the best way forward as dealers have existing relationships with the end users We’ve already sold over 400 robots ” Melendez says Naio’s robots start with pricing in the upper $40 000’s for the smallest units and range into the high $200 000’s for their largest offerings Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Christian Obed Melendez NAIO Technologies ph 805-345-6295; christian melendez@naio-technologies com; www naio-technologies com

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