The PeK Automotive Slopehelper is a groundbreaking agricultural robotics solution designed to revolutionize farming practices on challenging terrains. This fully autonomous, 100% electric agribot provides critical stability support for vehicles navigating difficult slopes, significantly enhancing safety and efficiency in a variety of agricultural applications. By integrating advanced sensing and intelligent posture adjustment, it offers a smart and sustainable solution for maintaining balance and optimizing operations in vineyards, orchards, and other demanding environments.
At the heart of the Slopehelper's effectiveness is its advanced terrain sensing technology. This sophisticated system continuously monitors the vehicle's angle and the steepness of the slope it is navigating. By doing so, it can make real-time adjustments to the vehicle's posture, ensuring that it remains balanced and stable, even on challenging terrains up to 45 degrees.
The automatic posture adjustment feature is another significant innovation, working in conjunction with a self-stabilizing horizontal cargo platform. This ensures that the center of mass remains within the vehicle's dimensions, providing unparalleled stability and safety, whether carrying heavy payloads or operating on extreme inclines. This capability allows farmers to tackle previously inaccessible or hazardous areas with confidence and precision.
Key Features
The PeK Automotive Slopehelper stands out with its fully autonomous operation, eliminating the need for a driver or manual intervention. This not only increases safety but also allows for continuous work cycles, optimizing labor resources and improving overall farm efficiency. Its advanced navigation system, combining AI, radar, sensors, differential GNSS, and an Inertial Measurement Unit, ensures highly accurate row detection and path following, even capable of operating independently of GNSS for core navigation in challenging signal areas.
Central to its design is the Terrain Stability Aid, a unique feature that includes a self-stabilizing horizontal cargo platform. This platform dynamically adjusts to maintain the center of mass within the vehicle's footprint, guaranteeing stability on steep slopes up to 45 degrees, a critical advantage for operations in hilly or mountainous agricultural regions. Furthermore, its 100% electric powertrain, operating on a safe 48V electrical system with lithium batteries, provides a zero-emission solution, drastically reducing the environmental impact and operational noise compared to diesel-powered machinery.
The Slopehelper is engineered as a true multi-purpose machine, capable of performing a comprehensive range of tasks throughout the entire agricultural cycle. It can work with various interchangeable hinged attachments, even utilizing two types simultaneously, making it highly versatile for tillage, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, spraying, and harvesting. Its caterpillar tracks contribute to low soil pressure, minimizing compaction and promoting healthier soil. The robust, sealed, and waterproof body ensures reliable operation in harsh conditions, including muddy fields and all weather types, while remote monitoring and control via the TeroAir mobile app provide farmers with real-time operational oversight.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 260 cm (2.6 m) |
| Width | 160 cm (1.6 m) |
| Height | 130 cm (1.3 m) |
| Weight | 1750 kg |
| Payload Capacity | Up to 2000 kg (2 tons) |
| Pulling Force | Up to 2000 kg (2 tons) |
| Energy Source | 100% electrical (Lithium batteries), 48V electrical system |
| Battery Capacity | 24 kWh (standard), 36 kWh (optional pack) |
| Autonomy | Up to 14 hours (standard mode), 6-8 hours (at full load, 40° inclination and constant traction force of 2 tons) |
| Traction | Caterpillar drive |
| Maximum Slope Operation | Up to 45° (with half payload), 40° (with full payload), 42° (general operation) |
| Navigation System | Autonomous location system algorithms of row detection, differential GNSS, AI, radar, sensors, Inertial Measurement Unit, radiolocator. Can operate independently of GNSS. |
| Speed | 0.5 km/h - 5 km/h |
| Charging Time | 3.5 to 8 hours (depending on electrical grid and charging station - 220V or 380V) |
| Safety System | Dual electromechanical bumpers and radiowave scanners, mechanical brake |
Use Cases & Applications
The PeK Automotive Slopehelper is designed for a broad spectrum of agricultural tasks, making it an invaluable asset for modern farming operations, particularly in specialized crop cultivation.
- Vineyard Management: The Slopehelper excels in vineyards with row widths greater than 200cm, autonomously performing tasks such as tillage, pruning, mowing/mulching between rows, spraying pesticides, and even harvesting grapes. Its ability to navigate steep slopes safely is crucial for many wine-growing regions.
- Orchard Maintenance: For apple, orange, and other fruit orchards, the agribot can handle fertilizing, canopy trimming, deleafing, and targeted spraying of liquid solutions. Its payload capacity also allows it to carry bins and containers for harvested products.
- Soil Preparation and Cultivation: Farmers can utilize the Slopehelper for various soil preparation activities like harrowing and general soil cultivation, ensuring optimal conditions for planting.
- Integrated Harvesting and Transport: Beyond just harvesting, the Slopehelper can carry harvested products in bins or containers, and even transport people for inspection or sorting, streamlining the entire harvesting logistic chain.
- Precision Spraying: With its autonomous navigation and ability to carry tanks, the Slopehelper provides a precise and efficient solution for applying pesticides and other liquid solutions, minimizing waste and ensuring even coverage.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| Fully autonomous operation significantly reduces labor costs and human error. | Maximum slope operation is dependent on payload, requiring careful load management. |
| Exceptional terrain stability on slopes up to 45° with self-stabilizing cargo platform enhances safety. | Charging time can be substantial (3.5 to 8 hours), potentially requiring multiple battery packs or careful scheduling for continuous operation. |
| 100% electric powertrain offers zero emissions, reduced noise, and lower running costs. | Initial investment cost can be significant for some farmers. |
| Highly versatile with multi-purpose functionality and interchangeable attachments for various tasks. | Speed range (0.5 - 5 km/h) might be considered slow for certain rapid transport tasks over long distances. |
| Advanced navigation system, including GNSS-independent operation, ensures high accuracy and reliability. | Row width requirement (>200cm for vineyards) might limit applicability in older, denser plantations. |
| Low soil pressure from caterpillar tracks minimizes compaction, promoting soil health. | |
| Robust, sealed design allows for operation in all weather conditions and muddy fields. |
Benefits for Farmers
The PeK Automotive Slopehelper delivers substantial business value to farmers by addressing critical challenges in modern agriculture. Its fully autonomous operation leads to significant time savings, freeing up valuable labor resources that can be reallocated to other essential farm activities. The electric powertrain results in substantial cost reductions, with operational costs potentially decreasing by up to three times compared to traditional fossil fuel-powered machinery, primarily due to lower fuel expenses and reduced maintenance requirements.
Beyond economic benefits, the Slopehelper contributes to improved yield quality and consistency through precise, automated task execution, such as targeted spraying and optimal soil preparation. Its low soil compaction characteristics foster healthier soil structures, which can lead to better crop growth and long-term sustainability. The zero-emission operation aligns with modern environmental stewardship goals, offering a sustainable farming solution that reduces carbon footprint and noise pollution. The enhanced safety on slopes also protects farm personnel and equipment, minimizing risks in hazardous terrains.
Integration & Compatibility
The PeK Automotive Slopehelper is designed to integrate smoothly into existing farm operations. Its multi-purpose nature means it can replace or augment a range of specialized equipment, working with various standard agricultural implements via its hinged attachment system. The machine's advanced navigation system allows it to learn and adapt to specific field layouts, including vineyard rows and orchard grids, fitting into established crop patterns.
For remote management and oversight, the Slopehelper is fully compatible with the TeroAir mobile app. This application provides real-time monitoring of the robot's progress, exact location, and relevant weather data, enabling farmers to supervise operations from anywhere. This connectivity ensures that the Slopehelper can be seamlessly incorporated into a smart farming ecosystem, providing valuable data for informed decision-making and efficient farm management.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does this product work? | The Slopehelper utilizes advanced terrain sensing, differential GNSS, AI, radar, and an Inertial Measurement Unit to continuously monitor terrain and vehicle posture. It automatically adjusts its self-stabilizing cargo platform to maintain balance on slopes up to 45°, ensuring safe and efficient autonomous operation. |
| What is the typical ROI? | Farmers can expect significant reductions in operational costs, potentially up to three times compared to conventional methods, due to its fully autonomous electric operation, reduced labor needs, and optimized task execution. |
| What setup/installation is required? | Initial setup involves mapping the operational area using its advanced navigation system. The machine learns row patterns and field boundaries, and attachments are easily interchangeable for various tasks. The TeroAir mobile app facilitates remote monitoring and control. |
| What maintenance is needed? | As an electric machine, the Slopehelper typically requires less frequent maintenance than diesel counterparts. Regular checks of the caterpillar tracks, sensors, battery system, and software updates are recommended to ensure optimal performance. |
| Is training required to use this? | While fully autonomous, initial training is beneficial for operators to understand its advanced navigation, attachment changes, and remote monitoring via the TeroAir app. The system is designed for intuitive use, minimizing the learning curve. |
| What systems does it integrate with? | The Slopehelper integrates seamlessly into modern farm management through its remote monitoring via the TeroAir mobile app, providing real-time progress, location, and weather data. It is designed to work with various standard agricultural implements. |
| What are the environmental benefits? | Being 100% electric, the Slopehelper produces zero emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint. Its low soil pressure also helps prevent soil compaction, promoting healthier soil ecosystems. |
Pricing & Availability
Indicative price: 95,000 EUR. The exact price for the PeK Automotive Slopehelper can vary based on the specific configuration, chosen attachments, and regional factors. While an indicative price for a machine with key equipment is around €95,000, prices for European farmers have been observed to range from $73,000 to $160,000, reflecting customization options and market conditions. For a precise quote tailored to your specific agricultural needs and to inquire about availability and lead times, please contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
Support & Training
PeK Automotive is committed to providing comprehensive support for the Slopehelper. This includes technical assistance, spare parts availability, and software updates to ensure the robot operates at peak performance throughout its lifespan. While the Slopehelper is designed for autonomous operation, initial training programs are available to help farmers and their teams become proficient with its advanced features, attachment management, and remote monitoring capabilities via the TeroAir mobile app. This ensures a smooth integration into existing farm workflows and maximizes the return on investment.
