Robot sprayer completes vineyard test in Galicia

A robot sprayer designed to apply vineyard treatments autonomously completed a field test in the Rías Baixas wine region this month, in a demonstration that local growers and winery representatives said showed promise but also underscored the need for adjustments before wider use in Galicia.

The test took place in Vilanova de Arousa, where the S500 Pro, a Chinese-made autonomous sprayer sold by Orchard Autonomous Sprayer and valued at about 45,000 euros before tax, was shown to representatives of the Martín Códax cooperative and other wineries in the Denomination of Origin Rías Baixas. Javier Castro Martínez, the head of the distributor Haüs Noroeste and the organizer of the demonstration, said the trial was successful and that the machine’s satellite navigation and autonomous operation worked properly.

Castro said the main challenge now is adapting the robot to local rules and vineyard conditions. He said the equipment was built for markets such as Russia and China, where pesticide regulations are less restrictive, and that it will need technical changes to comply with Spanish rules on phytosanitary products and to handle Galicia’s terrain and vineyard training systems.

During the demonstration, the robot moved through the plots using water instead of spray chemicals. According to Castro, it handled the terrain well and drew strong interest from attendees, who asked many questions during the presentation. He said the response was generally positive.

The company now plans to open talks with Martín Códax and other wineries to gather feedback on how to adapt the machine more precisely to local vineyards. Castro said Spanish recommendations are also being sent to the Chinese manufacturer so it can account for limits on approved crop-protection products.

He noted that vineyard conditions vary widely across Spain, including between Galicia and La Mancha, which means any autonomous system must be fine-tuned before it can be used broadly. The goal, he said, is for the robot to gradually enter Galician vineyards with satellite guidance and artificial intelligence once those adjustments are complete.