The ICARO X4 agricultural robot was developed by the Italian company Maschio Gaspardo. It is designed for autonomous movement in vineyards and orchards. The robot has its own weather station, with which it autonomously analyses information on humidity and temperature to determine the optimum time to treat the plants.
The key element of ICARO X4 is its large folding panels, which resemble the wings of a huge beetle. The robot approaches the plant and swipes the panel a few centimetres away from the leaves, applying UV-C (far ultraviolet) radiation. According to the robot's creators, exposure to UV light of a certain wavelength triggers a biological mechanism that stimulates the plant's immune defences. UV-C also destroys the DNA of pathogens such as powdery mildew, false powdery mildew and grey rot. Importantly, ICARO can do this without the use of chemicals or pesticides.
According to the manufacturer, one ICARO robot can clear up to 15 hectares (about 37 acres) of vineyards of fungi and mould. The potential to reduce fungicide use on the farm is up to 70 per cent.
The ICARO X4 is powered by electric motors, but can also be equipped with a 2-cylinder Kohler diesel engine that increases range when batteries are low. This variation of the X4 can run for up to 72 hours (3 days) in a row, which is particularly useful during periods when mould and mildew spread is at its most active.
The ICARO X4 made its debut at the FIRA World Expo last weekend. Maschio Gaspardo reported that five of these robots are already in operation in France and Italy. The price of each single robot ranges from €115,000.
Source: Electrek