Rasmus Larsson is the Head of Technical Development at SBP, and he is passionate about technical solutions for sustainable energy. He also demonstrates this outside of the workplace.
Together with high school teacher Jesper Elsander, Rasmus Larsson has built a self-driving tractor powered by solar energy. Through a GPS system and proprietary back-end, it can be controlled from anywhere via phone or computer. In this way, they can command the tractor when it is time for tasks such as sowing carrots, weeding, or harvesting potatoes on the farm outside Borlänge.
Both the magazine LandLantbruk and Dalademokraten have recognized the duo's innovative solution, which SBP sponsored with a solar panel in the start-up of the project.
– What we wanted to do was to build a multifunctional, electric tractor that can replace fossil-powered units in agriculture. This year, we have grown several crops completely fossil-free, and it is truly a special feeling to have coffee and watch the tractor work completely on its own and quietly in the countryside, says Rasmus Larsson.
It all started when the duo bought an old and rusty tractor, a Volvo T24 from the 50s, and replaced the engine with an 800w electric motor – something that is weaker than those used in electric bicycles today. Since then, it has been upgraded with a 1200w motor, four solar panels, and a 48V battery. This enables an estimated working potential of between 20–30 hectares of cultivation per unit and year.
– We asked ourselves early on: why do tractors need to be big and go fast? If a horse could pull agricultural implements in the past, a down-geared engine should be able to do the same. In addition, the human factor disappears from the picture with autonomous operation and solar energy that charges the batteries, which means that a slow-moving, energy-efficient, and mechanically optimized unit can work around the clock if desired. After all, a tractor does not need to eat, sleep, or go to the toilet.
Now that their project has begun to attract attention, they hope that it will contribute to an even faster, positive development for the energy transition.
– The hope is that we will succeed in inspiring others in agriculture to phase out fossil fuels quickly.
Quick facts about the tractor
- Working areas today: Sowing crops, weeding, harrowing, bed formation, harvesting crops
- Motor power: 1200 W
- Solar panels: 4 x 280W
- Battery capacity: 7680Wh
- Working speed: 1 km/h
- Control unit: Raspberry Pi 3B+ & 2x Raspberry Pico
- Steering precision: 14 mm (GPS RTK)
- Implement precision: +- 1 mm
- Implement lift: Hydraulic
- Heaviest verified workload: Potato harvesting
- Collision protection: Yes
