Le 26/06/2025
Naïo and Farmers: A Story Rooted in the Field and Agricultural Common Sense
Those who talk about it the least are often the ones using it the most.
While the debate around agricultural automation continues to stir conferences and opinion columns, out in the fields, the robots are already hard at work. They weed, sow, till, and maintain — quietly, efficiently, and with visible results. For many farmers, robotics is no longer a bet on the future, but a practical tool embedded in their daily operations, with one straightforward expectation: that it works, and delivers on its promises.
Among the key players in this space, Naïo Technologies has emerged as a trusted name. For nearly 15 years, the Toulouse-based company has designed, built, and sold four autonomous agricultural robots — Oz, Ted, Jo, and Orio — with a focus on real-world needs. No grand claims or flashy disruption: Naïo’s approach is grounded in iteration, user feedback, and reliability. And that’s starting to make a difference.
Through the experiences of four different users — winegrowers, vegetable producers, tree nursery growers — this article explores a turning point in agricultural robotics: the shift from testing to long-term integration. A moment where robots stop being experimental and become part of the strategy.
Cave Spring (Canada): Ted, a Strategic Ally Amid Labor Shortages and Environmental Pressures
In the heart of Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula, Gabriel Demarco and Josh Aitken run Cave Spring Vineyard, a pioneering winery established in the 1970s. When they introduced the Ted robot in 2023, it marked a real shift in their operations. Their goal: to reduce the strain on tractor crews while strengthening environmental commitments. The results came quickly.
“With a lighter machine, we’ve cut our passes in half. That means far less soil compaction,” says Gabriel.
Fully electric and autonomous, Ted works 6 to 7 hours a day on soil management, equipped with cultivating discs and weeding stars. Its compatibility with standard implements allowed for fast integration, and on-site technical support made adoption smooth and intuitive.
“The more time I spend with Ted, the more I see its potential.”
After just one season, the efficiency gains are clear. The team can now focus on higher-value tasks while Ted handles consistent fieldwork. For Gabriel and Josh, there’s no going back.
Darmstädter Forstbaumschulen (Germany): Orio, a Modern Answer to a Precision-Driven Operation
Tobias Antoni manages a 30-hectare organic forest nursery, overseeing up to 275 seasonal workers. Faced with growing challenges in recruiting and training tractor operators, he integrated Orio in spring 2024. From day one, the robot proved its worth: precision, autonomy, and better working conditions.
“Orio is light, quiet, and impressively precise,” says Tobias.
At 4.5 km/h, Orio weeds, preps soil, and even pairs with vintage implements from the 1960s. Using Naïo Companion, a user-friendly app, Tobias programs work routines and monitors activity — no advanced tech skills required.
“Weeding is fast and accurate — and most importantly, Orio keeps working while we do something else.”
With nearly 800 hours of use per year, ROI is achieved through reduced seedling losses, fewer human errors, and lighter training demands. For Tobias, the robot isn’t a replacement — it’s a way to elevate human labor and make it more meaningful.
Le Chant d’Éole (Belgium): Jo, a Reliable Partner for Vineyard Excellence
Nicolas Fratantuono manages the 55-hectare Domaine du Chant d’Éole. Faced with a shortage of skilled tractor drivers and tight weather windows, he chose Jo, a compact tracked robot, in July 2024. The impact was immediate:
“I get 10–15% breakage with a human operator, versus just 2% with Jo.”
Easy to use, Jo allows Nicolas to start fieldwork autonomously first thing in the morning. Outfitted with inter-row cultivators and implements from the Boisselet range, it operates with precision and lightens the day’s workload.
“My routine? I bring Jo to the field in the morning, press start, and off he goes.”
Opting for a fully electric robot also reinforces the estate’s environmental credentials — a major differentiator in the market. Used on a rental basis, Jo saves time and minimizes plant losses. Its performance adds solid economic value to the operation.
Gennes-Ivergny (France): Oz, a Daily Assistant for an Independent Market Vegetable Grower
Maxime Dupont grows 3.8 hectares of diversified vegetables on his own. In early 2023, he acquired Oz, convinced by its ability to weed, sow, and cultivate while freeing up valuable time.
“While it’s sowing, I’m planting. We save time and double our output.”
Equipped with RTK GPS for optimal precision and designed for versatility, Oz pulls seeders, hoes, harrows, and other standard tools. It can operate for up to 8 hours a day on a single overnight charge. Simple to program and responsive in real time, it alerts Maxime if there’s a blockage, ensuring quick intervention and seamless workflow.
“If it gets stuck, it tells me. Otherwise, it just gets the job done.”
Low-maintenance and backed by a responsive dealer, Oz has become an essential partner in Maxime’s daily routine. It now handles a significant portion of the workload on his farm. For him, it’s not a gamble — it’s a proven way to produce more, better, and with fewer constraints.
Conclusion: A Field-Proven Sector, Ready to Scale
From Canadian vineyards to French vegetable plots, Naïo’s robots are driving real-world performance and sustainability. These tools don’t replace farmers — they support them, free them up, and give them renewed operational leverage. Much like milking robots — now widely adopted in the dairy sector — autonomous agricultural robots have moved beyond the trial phase. They are mature, functional, and delivering results in the field.
But to scale up, the industry must now strengthen its ecosystem. Dealers, equipment makers, farmers, integrators, and institutions must work together to create a more accessible, resilient value chain — one focused on real-world impact.
The momentum is here. The successes are visible. Now it’s up to the sector to turn this progress into the norm — not the exception.