Rasmus Larsson is Head of Technical Development at SBP and technical solutions around sustainable energy is something he is passionate about. He also shows it outside the workplace.
Together with high school teacher Jesper Elsander, Rasmus Larsson has built a self-driving tractor powered by solar energy. Using a GPS system and a proprietary back-end, it can be controlled from anywhere via phone or computer. In this way, they can give commands to the tractor when it's time to do chores like sowing carrots, weeding or picking up potatoes on the farm outside Borlänge.
Both the magazine LandLantbruk and Dalademokraten have drawn attention to the duo's innovative solution, which SBP sponsored with solar panels at the start of the project.
- What we wanted to do was to build a multifunctional, electric tractor that can replace fossil-fuel powered units in agriculture. This year we have grown several crops completely fossil-free and it is really a special feeling to have coffee and watch the tractor work all by itself and quietly out in the countryside, says Rasmus Larsson.
It all started when the duo bought an old and rusty tractor, a Volvo T24 from the 1950s, and replaced the motor with an 800w electric motor - something weaker than those used in electric bikes today. Since then, it's been upgraded with a 1200w motor, four solar panels and a 48V battery. This enables an estimated work potential of between 20-30 hectares of cultivation per unit per year.
- We asked ourselves early on: why do tractors need to be big and go fast? If a horse could pull farm implements in the past, a geared-down engine should be able to do the same. Moreover, with autonomous operation and solar power charging the batteries, the human factor is taken out of the picture, allowing a slow-moving, energy-efficient and mechanically optimised unit to work around the clock if desired. After all, a tractor doesn't need to eat, sleep or go to the toilet.
Now that their project has started to attract attention, they hope 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.
Brief facts about the tractor
- Work areas today: sowing of crops, weeding, harrowing, bed forming, harvesting of 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)
- Tool precision: +- 1 mm
- Gear lift: hydraulic
- Heaviest verified workload: potato harvesting
- Collision protection: yes
