Integrated Robotic Vineyard Bird Control and Mowing

Commodities

• Fruits: grapes

Practices

• Education and Training: demonstration, on-farm/ranch research
• Energy: energy conservation/efficiency
• Farm Business Management: agritourism, farm-to-institution, feasibility study
• Pest Management: integrated pest management, physical control
• Production Systems: holistic management
• Sustainable Communities: food loss and waste recovery/reduction, local and regional food systems

This project aims to develop a dual-purpose wheeled GPS robotic system for vineyard management, addressing two critical tasks: bird control and vineyard mowing. Birds, especially during harvest, can cause significant crop damage, while the need for regular mowing to maintain vineyard health is labor-intensive and time-consuming. The project will explore the integration of autonomous technologies to enhancing operational efficiency and reducing manual labor.

The main objectives of the project are to design and deploy an autonomous robotic system that combines GPS-guided navigation with integrated bird control and mowing capabilities. The robot will autonomously patrol the vineyard, using a combination of visual and auditory deterrents to repel birds while also providing autonomous mowing between the trellis rows

Key components of the plan include:

1. Robot Design & Integration: Developing a wheeled robot platform capable of navigating vineyard terrain, integrating bird control mechanisms and a mowing system.
2. GPS Navigation & Autonomy: Implementing precise GPS-guided navigation to ensure consistent and effective operation in vineyard rows, optimizing both bird control and mowing paths.
3. Bird Deterrent Testing: Evaluating various deterrent methods for effectiveness in reducing bird activity and crop damage.
4. Field Trials: Conducting real-world field testing to assess the robot’s performance, including bird deterrence effectiveness, mowing quality, and overall operational efficiency.

The outreach strategy will focus on engaging vineyard owners and Cornell Cooperative Extension through demonstrations, workshops, and partnerships with industry associations. Findings will be shared through industry publications, conferences, and online platforms to promote adoption of this innovative solution.

• Develop and Test a Dual-Purpose Robotic System for Vineyard Bird Control and Mowing

  • Design and build a robotic system capable of autonomously detecting and deterring birds from vineyards while simultaneously mowing vineyard rows.
  • Measurable Outcome: The robotic system will successfully complete a full vineyard row with no damage to the vines or soil and deter 80% of bird activity within the test area, as measured by bird counts and crop damage assessments.

• Evaluate the Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness of the Robotic System for Small to Medium-Sized Vineyards

  • Assess the operational efficiency of the robotic system compared to traditional bird control and mowing methods, focusing on labor and fuel savings, and the potential for increased vineyard productivity.
  • Measurable Outcome: Demonstrate at least a 30% reduction in labor costs and a 20% decrease in fuel usage compared to conventional methods for bird control and mowing over a three-month test period.

• Adapt the Robotic System to Northeast Vineyard Environments

  • Customize the robotic system for the unique conditions of Northeast vineyards, including narrow rows, uneven terrain, and varying grape varieties, to ensure its practical use in these environments.
  • Measurable Outcome: The robot will operate effectively in Northeast vineyards with varied terrains, meeting the specifications of vineyard owners and farmers in the region.

• Measure the Environmental Impact of the Robotic System

  • Evaluate the environmental benefits of using the robotic system, particularly its ability to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on chemical or fuel-based bird control and vegetation management methods.
  • Measurable Outcome: Achieve at least a 15% reduction in carbon emissions and a 25% reduction in the use of chemical deterrents or fossil fuels compared to conventional methods.

• Increase Adoption of Robotic Systems Among Northeast Vineyard Owners

  • Increase awareness and adoption of the robotic system by Northeast vineyard owners, particularly small to medium-sized farms, through field demonstrations, workshops, and educational outreach.
  • Measurable Outcome: Engage at least 50 vineyard owners through outreach activities, and achieve a 15% adoption rate of the robotic system within the first year after project completion.