How AIGRO is changing vineyard management.
In recent years, the pressure on growers and producers has only grown. Rising labour costs, shrinking skilled labour availability, stricter environmental regulations and the push for more sustainable practices make tasks such as weed control, mowing and inter-row maintenance increasingly challenging. Into this gap steps AIGRO: a Dutch ag-tech company with innovative autonomous robots the AIGRO UP. The technology promises to transform day-to-day crop care, reduce manual labour and support more sustainable soil and plant management.
The AIGRO UP is fully autonomous and finds its way using various sensors. What makes it unique is the ability to navigate in difficult conditions as GPS is only used to switch between rows and fields, so the robot can find its way even under thick foliage. Swappable batteries with an average battery life of 8-10 hours allow the robot to be sent straight back to work with a quick battery change, eliminating the need for docking or overnight charging and maximising daily use. The intuitive app alerts growers instantly if any issues arise, ensuring smooth, reliable operation with minimal input.
For vineyards, the key attraction is its tool flexibility: growers can equip the unit with a standard mower, swing mower for under-vine reach, or mechanical hoeing equipment for chemical-free weed control. This gives estates the ability to tailor the system to their floor-management strategy, whether that means keeping swards tidy or reducing reliance on herbicides. Working closely with the manufacturer Vitifruit Equipment hopes to have a unit to show in the UK in 2026.
Find out more at www.aigro.nl
