From traditional shepherds to digital shepherds: the evolution of pastoralism in the age of robots
From traditional shepherds to digital shepherds: the evolution of pastoralism in the age of robots
The shepherding tradition, reinvented for the digital age
For thousands of years, the shepherd has been part of our collective imagination. With his stick and his dog, he watches over his flock, accompanies them from pasture to pasture, and ensures the well-being of each sheep. Today, this image is changing. At VITIROVER Solutions, we have adapted this timeless figure to our times: welcome to the world of digital shepherds, experts who manage a new type of flock – a flock of robot shepherds … or sheep-droids !
VITIROVER robots are designed to operate in complex terrain (photovoltaic farms, high-voltage electricity transformers, along railway lines, motorways, vineyards, orchards, etc.), cutting vegetation precisely and in an environmentally-friendly way. Their mission? To replace herbicides and heavy fossil fuel-powered equipment by maintaining grass cover at very low cost and with a minimal ecological footprint. However, all flocks need a minimum of attention, and that’s where the digital shepherd comes in.
The role of the digital shepherd: combining technology and know-how in the field
Like the traditional shepherd who knows every corner of his pastures, the digital shepherd is connected to his herd of robots via the Viticloud application developed for monitoring VITIROVER. Viticloud is a digital real-time management platform.
Thanks to this interface, the digital shepherd can monitor the location, progress and status of each robot from his computer or phone. At a glance, he can see his flock at work or if one of the robots needs remote intervention, via Viticloud.
But sometimes human intervention is still necessary. A robot stuck in a boar hole? An unexpected obstacle on the path? The digital shepherd, despite his digital tools, sometimes has to put on his boots to go and rescue his ‘protégé’. This human dimension, which provides invaluable vigilance and essential responsiveness, bears witness to the evolution of the shepherd’s job in an automated environment.
Geofencing is established before the robots are put into service. Each robot’s plot is automatically registered on Viticloud. It then sends all the work it has done. The robots can then communicate plot information with each other, and can sometimes join up when an area of strong grass growth is recognised by the fleet.
Viticloud: the digital shepherd’s flagship tool
Viticloud enables our digital shepherds to centrally control a herd of robots, anticipate their maintenance needs and ensure they are working properly in all circumstances. Thanks to data analysis and precise monitoring, this software makes it possible to manage mowing tasks with formidable efficiency. It’s a revolutionary tool for an age-old task.
Back to basics, thanks to technology
Although they use modern tools, the digital shepherds of VITIROVER robots share with the shepherds of yesteryear this connection to the land and this constant attention to their ‘flock’. Technology becomes an ally in preserving traditions and respect for the environment, while optimising management methods. This profession, at the crossroads of traditional know-how and innovation, demonstrates that automation does not replace the human being, but on the contrary enriches his role and responsibilities.
A bright future for digital pastoralism
At a time when ecological and financial issues are becoming crucial, the VITIROVER Solutions model and its digital shepherds are an innovative response, combining technology and ecological ethics. The future of natural area maintenance is taking shape here: experts in the field, connected tools, and a robotised herd that works autonomously but, like any good herd, still needs a watchful eye.
Conclusion: The digital shepherd is the heir to a thousand-year-old tradition, which he is developing using modern technologies. At VITIROVER Solutions, we are proud to be contributing to this transformation, by providing a solution that respects the environment and the soil. The herd changes, but the soul of the profession remains the same.
Publié le 11 December 2024