At the anniversary event, marking the 75th anniversary of the factory, the Belarusian tractor brand Belarus showed a prototype of an autonomous tractor. The basis of the tractor is the diesel-electric Belarus 3523. That type was introduced last year.
21 autonomous tractor projects around the world
Driverless tractor
Instead of a driver, the new prototype tractor has an intelligent control system that uses a combination of cameras, sensors and a computer. These ensure that the tractor can work independently, because it processes the data from the cameras and sensors itself in order to prevent collisions. If the tractor is almost out of fuel, it will drive itself to the diesel tank.
Up to 50 kilometers per hour
The engine of the autonomous prototype is the same 350 hp Cummins block as the Belarus 3523. In the field, the autonomous tractor reaches speeds of up to 15 kilometers per hour. On the road, the speed is up to 50 kilometers per hour.
The star attraction of at an anniversary event to mark the 75th anniversary of the plant, the obvious difference is the lack of a cab. The driver has been replaced by an intelligent control system that uses a combination of cameras and sensors linked to a computer (5G data transmission). It is also equipped with GPS navigation and Topcon guidance.
The engine in the autonomous prototype is the same 350hp Cummins block as the 3523. Mated to a generator that powers the same electro-mechanical transmission, this provides stepless speed selection in two ranges (field 0-15km/hr - road 0-50km/hr). Electricity developed by the tractor can also be used to power electric implements.
Still in the test phase, as well as this triple mower, the prototype has worked with an eight-furrow plough.
