Blenheim's Smart Machine creates 'world-first' viticulture robots, wins Pernod Ricard backing 16 May, 2021 11:29 PM 4 minutes to read Kersley Kahl and with three of the four ATVs made so far. Another five are in the works. Photo / Supplied Kersley Kahl and with three of the four ATVs made so far. Another five are in the works. Photo / Supplied "Robots don't have bad days, they don't get tired at the end of a 10-hour shift and potentially make mistakes." Smart Machine chief executive Andrew Kersley would be a fan of automation. His three-year-old company has developed the Autonomous Vineyard Tractor or AVT, billed as a world-first - that is currently being tested by Stoneleigh and several other vineyards around Marlborough. It can take care of mulching, leaf removal and trimming, and also features an array of data-gathering sensors.