Russia’s First Vineyard Robot 'Dionysus' Starts Harvesting Grapes

Students in Rostov-on-Don have built 'Dionysus,' an agricultural robot that uses computer vision to delicately harvest grape clusters without damaging the fruit.

Students at the Institute of Advanced Technologies of Don State Technical University have unveiled a grape-harvesting robot named Dionysus. The machine has already been tested in local vineyards around Rostov-on-Don.

Unlike many laboratory prototypes, Dionysus was built with direct input from farmers, who were consulted throughout development. The team aimed to create a solution useful not only for large agricultural holdings but also for small farms.

The robot relies on an advanced computer vision system trained on thousands of images. Its algorithms can distinguish between leaves and grape clusters with precision. A robotic 'hand' carefully cuts the bunches and places them into a basket, minimizing damage to the harvest.

The Dionysus project is part of the university’s broader strategy to design modular agricultural robots. Earlier, the university announced a universal platform for vineyard maintenance capable of pruning vines and performing targeted spraying. Dionysus brings further automation to the grape-growing process.