EcoPlant Hybrid: The emission-free solution for efficient and sustainable reforestation

Capgemini has developed a proof of concept (POC) for its Forest Planting Machine, an ecological, economical, efficient and versatile mechanised planting solution. The compact, one-seater all-terrain vehicle is also approved for road use and has a hybrid electric and hydrogen drive that ensures zero emissions, zero pollution, high efficiency and silent operation. It enables gentle, close-to-nature forestry and can plant up to 1,600 seedlings per day, equivalent to around 1 hectare, with up to 20 different species.

Manual planting faces challenges such as labour shortages and planting quality. It is a seasonal and strenuous activity. Existing mechanised planting solutions are also unsatisfactory as they are based on machines designed for timber harvesting and are therefore extremely heavy, expensive and fuel-hungry.

Capgemini has developed a 100% electric, vehicle-mounted planting controller. The machine's on-board computer houses specially developed software that controls the various actuators to complete the planting cycle. Capgemini has chosen Igus Drylin products: SLW-S linear module, DLE-RG 3-axis Cartesian gantry and igubal® pillow block bearings. Embedded in their first prototype presented at Viva Tech, their POC enables testing and validation of the centrepiece of the machine. Capgemini will evaluate the performance of the planting function in terms of cycle time, robustness and versatility as well as planting quality.