Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), an Australian winemaker, is employing autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), and sensors to enhance grape yields and reduce water consumption in its vineyards. According to TWE’s 2022-23 sustainability report, the company has made investments in automated irrigation, predictive analytics, and sensors to save water and mitigate the impact of unpredictable weather conditions and extreme events. By synchronizing irrigation schedules with localized weather forecasts and yield projections, TWE aims to enhance its resilience to a changing climate.
TWE signed a three-year contract in 2020 to use The Yield’s microclimate and harvesting prediction platform, Signal+, in its vineyards across Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and the US. Signal+ employs AI to determine yields and harvest dates, preventing excessive cropping and optimizing network capacity. The platform utilizes real-time input data, including visual data about grape growth stages, air temperature, humidity, wind speed, rainfall, and soil moisture to provide short-term and long-term forecasts, enabling TWE to make informed decisions about irrigation and weather-related risks.
Autonomous irrigation vehicles equipped with visual sensors
Yamaha Motor’s $11 million investment in The Yield led to the development of autonomous irrigation vehicles equipped with visual sensors, enhancing Signal+’s models with additional data. TWE also partnered with other automated operational technology providers, investing in robotic and electrified vineyard machinery to enhance efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and improve safety.
The company is committed to installing smart water meters at 100% of its sites in high- and medium-risk catchments by FY25. These meters interface with other technologies, such as moisture point probes and weather stations, to collect data on water usage, weather conditions, and soil moisture. This data helps optimize irrigation, manage compliance risks, and track water security in the regions where TWE operates, ultimately contributing to vineyard sustainability.
Innovations in Vineyard Sustainability
Signal+ AI Platform: TWE utilizes The Yield’s Signal+ platform, which employs AI to predict yields and harvest dates, optimizing crop management and weather-related risk mitigation.
Autonomous Irrigation Vehicles: Yamaha Motor collaborated with The Yield to develop self-driving irrigation vehicles equipped with visual sensors, enhancing data collection and spray efficiency.
Investments in Robotic Machinery: TWE invested in various robotic and electrified vineyard machinery from manufacturers like Agtonomy, GUSS, Monarch Tractor, Robotics Plus, SwarmFarm, VitiBot, and Yamaha.
Smart Water Meters: The company is committed to installing smart water meters that interface with other technology, such as moisture point probes and weather stations, to enhance water management and data collection for vineyard sustainability.
Streamlined Compliance: Water surveillance data goes beyond water application versus yield outcomes, streamlining compliance risk management and water security tracking.
TWE’s adoption of AI, autonomous vehicles, and data-driven technologies highlights the growing role of digital innovations in enhancing agricultural sustainability and productivity.
