By Jessica Rowe
A vine-pruning robot has been highlighted as the next invention to transform the New Zealand wine industry.
It is being developed in Christchurch and could save wine-makers millions of dollars every year.
The robot will cut the hard work out of one of the least appealing chores in a vineyard – pruning.
The labourious task plays a key role in determining the quality of the grapes and the return to the grower.
“The robot can make sure they maintain a very high quality all the way through so that means they have better control over the cost of the wine and the long term quality of the wine,” says Dr Richard Green, of Canterbury University.
The robot will use the latest 3D camera technology, which will gauge its distance from the vine as it moves along it at walking speed.
It can see in the dark, meaning it will be able to operate around the clock.
New Zealand wine growers say it could change the face of the industry.
“This pruning is a really important part of establishing that quality and the potential of this technology is to improve the consistency and quality of that pruning job,” says Philip Manson, of the New Zealand Wine Growers.
Every year pruning costs wine makers a fortune, almost half their operating cost in manual labour.
“They are really excited about this project and approached us to see whether there is a way to cope with this problem they have of having to bring in overseas labour and do it in a very short seasonal window,” says Mr Green.
It is estimated it will save New Zealand’s wine industry over $20 million a year.
Mr Green says while they are mainly focusing on the horticulture industry, the robot prototype could easily be adapted for similar tasks in other industries.
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