Precision Slope Weeding in a Vineyard
01
Problem
A vineyard in Los Gatos faced significant operational challenges due to its steep hillside terrain with 35° slopes, making manual labor both difficult and dangerous. The narrow inter-row spacing limited equipment options, while rising labor costs made traditional hand-weeding increasingly unsustainable. Worker safety on the unstable, sloped ground remained a constant concern.
02
Solution
We deployed our compact MoWack Lite autonomous robot, purpose-built for tight spaces and challenging terrain. The MoWack Lite navigated 32° slopes with stability and precision, fitting easily through narrow vineyard inter-rows. It performed targeted precision weeding without damaging vines, operating autonomously and reducing the need for manual labor on hazardous slopes.
03
Results
Here is a quick comparison of our solution vs existing solutions
Feature Name | Mowack Lite | Mowack Pro | Traditional Mowers |
|---|---|---|---|
Power | 5 hp | 15 hp | ~ |
Active Operational Hours | 24 X 7 Operational Hours | 24 X 7 Operational Hours | 6-8 Hours X 5 Days a week |
Maintenance | Requires minimal maintenance with automatic sofware updates. | Requires minimal maintenance with automatic sofware updates. | Requires high maintenance |
Slope Capability | Upto 32 Deg | Upto 42 Deg | Slope 21 to 27 Deg |
No of Labourer/Operartor required | 1 | 1 | 2-5 |
Personnel Safety | High - Personnel is not directly involved | High - Personnel is not directly involved | Low - Personnel is directly involved |
The MoWack Lite completed precision weeding of the entire vineyard in just 6 hours—a task that would have taken a crew multiple days of difficult, risky manual work. One compact robot delivered precision weeding without putting any workers at risk on dangerous slopes.