Since 1981, Vinitech-Sifel has promoted exhibitors who imagine the solutions of tomorrow, via the Innovation Trophies. 79 files were appraised for this 2024 vintage, with a list including 20 medals awarded (4 gold, 5 silver and 11 bronze) and 19 citations.
Gold Trophy – Transformation Category
PARSEC: Perceiving the imperceptible
Already awarded a Silver Trophy during the previous edition of the Innovation Trophies thanks to Quadr, a web platform for PCs, tablets and smartphones which interfaces with all the cellar's tools and allows exchange of data, the company is this time crowned with gold with ADCML (Direct Analysis of Malolactic Kinetics). This is the very first device offering the possibility of monitoring the activity of malolactic fermentation – until then imperceptible – continuously, by measuring the release of CO2. This award recognizes more than twenty-five years of research and development of precision solutions from Parsec, serving ever more sustainable oenology. Based in Florence, Italy, the company is embodied by its four associated oenologists, three Italians and one Frenchman, Mathieu de Basquiat. The latter perfectly summarizes the philosophy of the company and its research: “Not just going for simplistic things, but always having in mind to use engineering and its precision to offer real added value. »
Gold Trophy – Cultures Category
INFACO: The bubble of invisible protection
After five years of intensive research and development, the company Infaco, a French manufacturer of electric pruners since 1984, was awarded the Gold Medal at the Vinitech-Sifel Innovation Trophies in the Crops category. This distinction highlights Contactless, an innovative safety device integrated into professional pruning shears. The new wireless safety system, the additional electronic safety device (DSES), is made up of a conductive trigger which creates the connection between the user's body and the electronic system of the pruner. It works without contact with a transmitter module, worn on the hand opposite the pruner and creates a “protective bubble” invisible. As soon as the pruning shears come too close to this area, the blade opens automatically, thus preventing any risk of cuts. « What makes this innovation unique is its compatibility with all our pruners, even the oldest models”underlines Morgane Mifsud, communications manager at Infaco. “This allows winegrowers to equip their existing equipment and benefit from an optimal level of security without having to invest in new tools. »
NAÏO TECHNOLOGIES: The robotic promise of increased autonomy
Created in 2011 and at the origin of the International Forum for Agricultural Robotics (Fira), Naïo Technologies is positioned as the world leader in the sector with a range of four robots present on five continents. Naïo designs innovative electric autonomous robots to help producers face “the challenges of agriculture 4.0”. These robots are called Oz (small agricultural assistant for time-consuming and difficult tasks such as hoeing and weeding), Orio (tool holder for vegetable and field crops), Ted (machine specially adapted for viticulture, working the soil to eliminate litter). use of herbicides) and Jo (autonomous chaser for narrow vines and nurseries). Based in Escalquens (Haute-Garonne), the company founded by two young roboticists from the Imerir school in Perpignan, Aymeric Barthes and Gaëtan Séverac, currently employs more than 70 people. It is supported by leading investors such as Mirova, Bpifrance, CapAgro and Demeter.
The Vinitech-Sifel 2024 Innovation Trophies particularly welcomed the progress represented by the increased autonomy of Naïo Technologies' robots – that is to say their ability to operate without human supervision, following automated tasks, in compliance with predefined parameters and security conditions. The company specifies that AI (artificial intelligence) “can be used on robots to ensure safety requirements, but cannot under any circumstances be the only detection system in place”. The AI detection system must be certified, but no AI-related certification is currently in place to do so.
Gold Trophy – Conditioning Category
MAUBRAC: Available, the new packaging machine
This is not the first time that this family business, created in 1947, has won an award at the Vinitech Show. Maubrac has a long tradition of research and development behind it. In 1998, it had already received a medal for its boxing assistance tool for boxes of six standing, or in 2000 for its Tom Caiss machine, which forms and closes boxes of multiple formats. Today, it offers yet another new product, Dispo, a machine measuring 1.70 x 1.50 m, which after having isolated a batch of six bottles, arranges them head to tail by tilting, orients the labels using a camera assisted by artificial intelligence, and facilitates packing using suction cups. A small revolution in the kingdom of cardboard while the cashing station is known to be very tedious, and often leads to occupational illnesses. Thanks to this machine, on the contrary, the operator will be able to work more quickly while providing much less effort. For Charles Velasco, one of the directors, this new award is great recognition. “This trophy honors successful teamwork and a long-term research and development program with relevant results. » Y. T.
Comments collected by Julien Morel, Mathieu Doumenge, Julia Bouchet and Yves Tesson
Find all the Trophies in detail here
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