CAKE designs autonomous electric tractor

Designer Fanny Jonsson says the tractor is a mobility solution for regenerative agriculture. The CAKE Kibb is a non-disturbing vehicle, both physically and chemically, that can help farmers throughout the day in the field or in glasshouses.

The tractor can be fitted with a number of storage racks, baskets, tie-downs, pull-behind implements, and more. Jonsson even designed a few specialised implements of her own, like a low-impact planting attachment to disturb the soil as little as possible.

The vehicle itself is an electric autonomous tractor that will gently move around the farm with or without a driver. No details are presented about the technology that would be used for the autonomous system of the vehicle.

Ms Jonsson found inspiration for the project in values and respect for the environment. Kibb is a word meaning ‘ox’ in Gutniska, a dialect from the Swedish island Gotland. The name represents the strength of the vehicle as well as the gentleness on nature.

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Allowing users to swap parts

Modularity is an important aspect of the design. Parts can be easily replaced, ensuring an up-to-date product for the end consumer. And by allowing users to swap parts and update their product, the lifetime is extended beyond the current obsolescence cycles of the industry.

The simplistic design is catching the essence of what is necessary for the vehicle. “The vehicle is designed to make as little impact as possible but still provide the user with the power and capability that is needed”, CAKE says. “It is moving around the farm with a gentle and confident manner, respecting the ground and its surroundings.”

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The Kibb is supposed to utilise what can already be found in the countryside. Its tires are made out of rubber from dandelions which are widespread across Scandinavia. There is a variety of dandelion that contains rubber in its roots. The plastics of the vehicle are made from linseed plants, grown locally in Sweden.

Aluminium is the main material used for both frame as well as other details on the ATV. As a material aluminium is a sustainable choice due to its recyclability without material degradation through multiple lifecycles.

CAKE is already known for its electric motorcycles and dirt bikes, that are sold worldwide. The tractor is not in production yet.