Land

The experimental plots for alternative weed control consist of a 4-hectare field, with additional areas available. Depending on the experimental needs, the site is equipped with advanced technology for data capture of soil and plants, an electric power supply using an electric generator for the computer units and charging for electric weeding solutions, as well as remote monitoring of crops and the environment via wireless sensors and a field meteorological station.

The Off-road vehicle and robot mobility tracks in Allier (France) feature advanced testing infrastructure developed by INRAE-TSCF-AGROTECHNOPÔLE for mobile machines and vehicles. The facility offers numerous accessories, including obstacles like mannequins and natural or artificial hedges. The cross-shaped track allows testing from various cardinal points and orientations relative to the sun. Additionally, the inclined profiles enable testing of agricultural machinery on different slope gradients.

The ex situ germplasm collection includes more than 2,000 genotypes (unique genetic profiles), represented by 1-20 accessions per genotype. Accessions differ according to their origin and/or by distinctive phenotypic characters (e.g., colour of the berry). - Genetic and phenotypic database The FEMVitisDB is being developed to make the list of genotypes present in the FEM grapevine germplasm collection available for consultation. The database collects the genetic profiles and phenotypic characteristics of each accession.

INRIA has access to a 100 m x 100 m reconfigurable outdoor facility located at AzurArena in Antibes, ideal for conducting experiments involving Autonomous Vehicles (AVs), Autonomous Ground Robots (AGRs), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The site can be equipped with a 4G/5G communication network, enabling real-time connectivity and coordination across multiple robotic platforms. Its open and adaptable layout makes it suitable for both individual and collaborative autonomous system testing.

Our experimental 15-hectare vineyard is planted with the main grape varieties of the Southwest. It also includes a plot of grape varieties with more than 300 varieties listed. Located in the direct vicinity of the farm buildings, the plots are representative of many different conditions in terms of soil (silt, sand, clay, pebbles) and at the topography level (flat, slope, side slope). Two main pruning methods are represented: the Guyot and the cordon.

Mas Piquet is the experimental estate of the Montpellier high school (15 hectares). Located to the north of Montpellier, it is easily accessible and provides representative conditions of Southern Vineyards. The current grape varieties, covering an area of 15 hectares, are divided between Chardonnay, Marselan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Carignan, as well as two new disease-resistant grape varieties, Voltis and Floréal. The Maspiquet estate is used as a training support for the Agropolis Campus (high schools, CFA, CFPPA,...).

A test stand with dimensions of 30000x8000 mm, with a centrally mounted, hydraulically lifted platform. The stand is used both in accredited tests based on standardised methods or in-house procedures and in non-accredited activities, including research and development work related to the design and testing of autonomous machinery. The stand is used, among other things, for measuring technical parameters, weights, pressure forces, and stability of machinery and equipment.

The experimental farm spans 145 hectares, featuring a variety of soil types ranging from 30 to 90 cm in depth, including moderately deep clay loam and shallow clay-limestone soils. With certifications in Organic Agriculture and High Environmental Value (HVE), the farm dedicates areas to various types of trials: 2 ha for environmental testing, 4.75 ha for organic fields, 5.32 ha for autonomous organic trials, and 7.08 ha for innovative organic trials.

72 ha of fields with various soil grades: III (25 ha), IV (37 ha), V (8 ha), and VI (2 ha). The fields can be used as a place for preparation for the test environment and in case of execution of physical testing, including establishing a particular plantation; tests on permanent green areas/ground paved with paving stones/sloped area/flat area; sowing with GPS; and collection of additional data from the drone—RGB, NDVI, thermo, crop photos, weather, etc.

The Rabanales Experimental Farm includes 30 hectares dedicated to research in fruit cultivation and crop nurseries, with an advanced irrigation system powered by photovoltaic energy. This system, remotely monitored via fibre optic connection, enables precise and efficient management of water and nutritional resources.