Wall-Ye wine robot takes bow in Burgundy
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The Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot being used in vineyards on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Mr Guy Julien uses the Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot that he created with Christophe Millot on Sept 13, 2012, in vineyards near Chalon-sur-Saone. The robot, brainchild of these two Burgundy-based inventors, is one of the robots being developed around the world aimed at vineyards struggling to find the labour they need. -- PHOTO: AFP
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A file picture taken on May 24, 2012, shows the facade of the Chateau Mouton Rothschild and its wineyard, classified "premier cru classe" (first growth), in Pauillac near Bordeaux. -- PHOTO: AFP
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Christophe Millot (right) and Guy Julien pose in vineyards with the Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot that they created on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
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The Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot being used in vineyards on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
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The Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot being used in vineyards on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
The Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot being used in vineyards on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
Mr Guy Julien uses the Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot that he created with Christophe Millot on Sept 13, 2012, in vineyards near Chalon-sur-Saone. The robot, brainchild of these two Burgundy-based inventors, is one of the robots being developed around the world aimed at vineyards struggling to find the labour they need. -- PHOTO: AFP
A file picture taken on May 24, 2012, shows the facade of the Chateau Mouton Rothschild and its wineyard, classified "premier cru classe" (first growth), in Pauillac near Bordeaux. -- PHOTO: AFP
Christophe Millot (right) and Guy Julien pose in vineyards with the Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot that they created on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
The Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot being used in vineyards on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
The Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot being used in vineyards on Sept 13, 2012, near Chalon-sur-Saone. -- PHOTO: AFP
MACON, France (AFP) - A new vineyard worker is looking for a job in France. He has four wheels, two arms and six cameras, prunes 600 vines per day, and never calls in sick.
The Wall-Ye V.I.N. robot, brainchild of Burgundy-based inventor Christophe Millot, is one of the robots being developed around the world aimed at vineyards struggling to find the labour they need.
It takes on chores such as pruning and de-suckering - removing unproductive young shoots - while collecting valuable data on the health and vigour of the soil, fruit and vine stocks.
Sales demonstrations are about to begin, and big name French vintners like Bordeaux's First Growth Chateau Mouton-Rothschild have offered their vineyards as a venue for the 20kg robot to put on its show.
