Naïo: Robotics Advancing Sustainable Fieldwork

Naïo: Robotics Advancing Sustainable Fieldwork

At a time when labour shortages and environmental pressures are intensifying across agriculture, Naïo Technologies has spent over a decade building robots designed to take on the repetitive, physically demanding tasks that have long bottlenecked farm operations. Founded in 2011 by engineers Aymeric Barthès and Gaëtan Séverac, the French startup focuses on autonomous, electric field robots that assist growers across a range of crops—from vegetable beds to vineyards—as they seek higher efficiency and reduced chemical dependency. The company’s systems are developed with farmers and technical partners to reflect real-world agronomic needs and conditions.

Technology and Product

Naïo’s portfolio consists of fully electric, autonomous robots guided by GNSS RTK navigation for precise field operation. Platforms such as OZ and Orio address small and large-scale vegetable farming, while TED and JO are designed for vineyards and nurseries with narrow rows and sensitive crops.

The robots follow predefined work paths, operate without continuous supervision, and support a range of mechanical weeding and soil management tools. Modular implements allow adaptation to different crops and workflows, while onboard safety systems and connectivity enable monitoring during operation. The design emphasises reliability in outdoor conditions and straightforward integration into existing farm practices.

The robots cover tasks from soil preparation and seeding to weeding and canopy management. (© Naio SAS)

Industrial Fit and Applications

The robots are primarily deployed in horticulture, vegetable farming, and viticulture, where labour availability and weed control represent persistent challenges. By automating mechanical weeding and repetitive field tasks, the systems can reduce physical workload and limit reliance on chemical herbicides. Deployments across Europe and North America show growing adoption in regions facing regulatory pressure on agrochemicals and rising labour costs. The technology aligns with broader trends toward precision agriculture and sustainable production models.

Augmented Autonomy enables the robot fleet to operate entirely on its own without in-field supervision (© Naio SAS)

Founding Team

Engineering and agricultural insight intersect in the company’s leadership. Aymeric Barthès and Gaëtan Séverac, both with roots in robotics engineering, founded Naïo Technologies with the aim of creating field robots that directly respond to farmers’ needs. Their collaborative development approach—engaging growers, research institutes, and technical partners—has guided product design from early prototypes to commercial fleets.