Machbarkeitsstudie zur Entwicklung von autonomen Fahrzeugen
The tractors used in Switzerland are often larger than actually required. Farmers can increase their efficiency by using lightweight and autonomous vehicles.
Factsheet
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Schools involved
School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences
School of Engineering and Computer Science -
Institute(s)
Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM
Agriculture - Research unit(s) Plant Production and Biodiversity
- Funding organisation Innosuisse
- Duration 01.09.2012 - 28.02.2015
- Head of project Andreas Meier
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Project staff
Andreas Meier
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Streit
Claude Brielmann
Florian Thüer - Keywords autonomous vehicles, increasing efficiency, sustainable agriculture, soil conservation
Situation
The goal of the project is to use computer models and experimental measurements to show the advantages of small and light vehicles related to soil conservation and efficiency.
Course of action
The project wants to find out how small and light vehicles under adverse conditions can operate for no-till farming. Moreover, the technical requirements for the autonomous operation of such a vehicle are developed. Together with one or more competent and interested business partner a CTI project proposal will be formulated in order to actually develop such an autonomous agricultural vehicle.
Result
This feasibility study showed that an effective field processing can be performed using relatively small and lightweight vehicles. The concept of semi-autonomous vehicles relieves the farmer of monotonous and time-consuming work, but also creates new challenges in the areas of safety systems and functional safety.
Looking ahead
The follow-up project CAATS (clean autonomous agricultural tractor system) has been submitted, together with the implementation partner which was involved in the feasibility study.
