Spoutnic: Revolutionizing Poultry Farming with Robotics

Frederic Clermont's Award-Winning Design Enhances Productivity and Animal Welfare

Spoutnic, a creation of Agence Desind and Tibot Technologies, is a real assistant to the farmer and a coach for the poultry. Its design, inspired by trilobites and gobies, allows for 360-degree visibility, while its large wheels and taut bows symbolize technicality. But what truly sets Spoutnic apart is its unique functionality. As the first autonomous poultry robot, it circulates in poultry houses, preventing laying on the ground and encouraging chickens to exercise, leading to a decrease in farm mortality rates and an improvement in working conditions.

The robot's design and manufacturing process were carefully considered to ensure durability and effectiveness. The chassis, made of painted aluminum, houses four electric motors for optimal power transmission. External parts, like the mustache mechanism and wheel supports, are made from stainless steel or aluminum. To protect the robot from ammonia, dust, and water, each element was chosen for its physical and chemical properties. The white shell is made of thermoplastic, the eyes and mustache are recyclable, and all parts are assembled mechanically for easy maintenance.

Spoutnic is equipped with a host of technical features designed to optimize its functionality. These include obstacle detection and avoidance, light and sound stimuli, a lithium battery with an 8-hour life, and a speed management interface. The robot is also resistant to water, dust, and ammonia, and can operate at six speeds, depending on the flock's training phase. Its compact size allows it to move under feeding mechanisms, and its 4-wheel drive, equipped with a brushless motor, enables it to work on uneven litter.

The robot's operation is simple and requires no specific configuration. It moves randomly and independently throughout the coop, detecting and bypassing obstacles. The battery is recharged using a plug, allowing the robot to work 8 hours a day at slow, medium, or fast speed, depending on the flock's training phase.

The development of Spoutnic was a meticulous process that began in 2015 in Brittany. The first model, entirely designed and manufactured in France, was presented at the international exhibition of animal production in Rennes in 2017. The design phase was based on exchanges with poultry farmers and scientific data on Galinaceae, resulting in a product that reduces the use of antibiotics, diseases, and chicken mortality, and improves the profitability and working conditions of breeders.

Spoutnic's innovative design and functionality have not gone unnoticed. In 2018, it was awarded Silver in the A' Agricultural Tools, Farming Equipment, and Machinery Design Award, a prestigious recognition for top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.