The VTE 3.0 represents a significant leap forward in agricultural automation, emerging as a collaborative innovation from the 'Combined Powers' initiative by two leading agricultural machinery manufacturers, Krone and Lemken. This autonomous field robot is engineered to perform a wide array of agricultural tasks with enhanced efficiency and precision, addressing the growing need for optimized farm management and reduced manual labor. It embodies a robust, reliable, and intelligent solution designed to transform farming practices.
This cutting-edge agricultural robot combines advanced robotics, intelligent implement control, and a powerful diesel-electric drive system to offer unparalleled autonomy and productivity. By integrating the strengths of both Krone and Lemken, the VTE 3.0 provides a comprehensive solution for farmers seeking to enhance their operations, minimize human intervention, and achieve sustainable, year-round field management across diverse crop types.
Key Features
The VTE 3.0 is engineered for fully autonomous operational capability, significantly reducing the demand for skilled labor and enhancing overall farm efficiency. It is designed to autonomously handle various field tasks, from cultivation to forage harvesting, by following pre-planned routes and executing tasks with precision. This autonomy ensures consistent work quality and allows farmers to reallocate valuable human resources to other critical farm management areas.
A cornerstone of its design is the collaborative innovation stemming from the 'Combined Powers' initiative, which brings together the extensive expertise of Krone and Lemken. This partnership has resulted in a robot that incorporates robust mechanical engineering with advanced digital intelligence, ensuring both durability and smart operational capabilities. The robot's precision and consistency are paramount, delivering optimized farm operations, maximizing productivity, and minimizing wastage of inputs through highly accurate task execution.
Powering the VTE 3.0 is an efficient diesel-electric drive concept, featuring a 170 kW (230 PS) 4-cylinder MTU engine that drives a generator. This generator powers electric motors for both the axles and the Power Take-Off (PTO), offering a highly efficient and responsive power delivery system. Furthermore, the robot boasts advanced safety systems, including extensive sensor arrays with LiDAR and cameras for intelligent environment detection and real-time person recognition, allowing it to automatically adjust speed or stop to ensure safety in the field.
Enhancing its versatility, the VTE 3.0 is equipped with dual attachment spaces (front and rear three-point linkage with PTO) and is capable of working bi-directionally. This allows for more efficient implement utilization and streamlined field passes. Control and management are intuitive, offered via mobile devices and a central Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for planning, monitoring, and executing tasks, simplifying complex farm management into an accessible digital interface.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Drive Type | Diesel-electric |
| Total Output | 170 kW (230 PS/hp) |
| Control Interface | Mobile devices; central HMI |
| Communication Module | Agrirouter |
| Attachment Interface | Front and rear three-point linkage and PTO |
| Steering | Four-wheel steering |
| Wheels | Four equal-sized wheels |
| Tyre Options | Large traction/flotation or narrow row-crop tyres |
| Sensor Systems | LiDAR, cameras, implement sensors |
| Transport Solution | Telescopic drawbar for towing (VTS) |
| Traction Unit Manufacturing | Krone factory, Spelle, Germany |
Use Cases & Applications
The VTE 3.0 is designed to be a versatile workhorse for a wide range of agricultural operations, offering farmers concrete solutions for enhanced efficiency. For example, in soil cultivation, it can autonomously perform stubble tillage with implements like the LEMKEN Karat 10/400 Smart Implement or prepare seedbeds using a short disc harrow like the Heliodor 9. This ensures consistent depth and quality across large fields, optimizing conditions for subsequent planting.
In sowing and planting, the robot can precisely execute seeding plans, ensuring optimal spacing and depth for various crops, which is crucial for maximizing yield potential. For forage harvesting, the VTE 3.0 can be deployed for mowing, turning, and swathing tasks in grassland management, operating continuously to ensure timely and efficient harvesting of feed.
Its capabilities extend to deep soil cultivation and mechanical weed control, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical herbicides in certain scenarios. The robot’s precision allows for targeted intervention, reducing overall input costs and promoting sustainable farming practices. The dual attachment spaces also allow for combined operations, further increasing efficiency in the field.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| Fully autonomous operation significantly reduces labor requirements and costs. | High initial investment likely due to advanced technology and development. |
| Diesel-electric powertrain offers efficient power delivery and reduced emissions. | Reliance on complex sensor systems and software for optimal and safe operation. |
| Dual attachment spaces (front and rear PTO/linkage) enable bi-directional working and greater versatility. | Potential for specialized maintenance requirements for diesel-electric and robotic components. |
| Advanced safety systems with LiDAR and cameras ensure safe operation in dynamic environments. | Limited immediate availability, with market launch targeted from 2028 onwards. |
| Precision and consistency in tasks lead to optimized resource use and increased yields. | Requires robust connectivity (Agrirouter) and mobile device infrastructure for control. |
| Year-round operational ability enhances productivity and farm management flexibility. |
Benefits for Farmers
The VTE 3.0 offers substantial business value for farmers by directly addressing key operational challenges. Its autonomous capabilities lead to significant time savings and a drastic reduction in manual labor, allowing skilled workers to focus on more strategic tasks. The precision agriculture features, enabled by advanced sensors and intelligent implements, ensure optimal application of inputs, leading to cost reduction in fuel, fertilizers, and pesticides.
By ensuring consistent and accurate field work, the robot contributes to improved crop health and ultimately higher yield improvement. Furthermore, its year-round operational ability supports a more sustainable farming model by optimizing resource use and potentially reducing environmental impact through precise application and efficient energy consumption. The VTE 3.0 empowers farmers to manage their operations with greater efficiency, productivity, and resilience against labor shortages.
Integration & Compatibility
The VTE 3.0 is designed to seamlessly integrate into modern agricultural ecosystems. A key component of its connectivity is the Agrirouter communication module, which facilitates standardized data exchange between the robot, farm management software, and other machinery. This ensures that operational data, task plans, and performance metrics are shared efficiently across the farm's digital infrastructure.
Control and monitoring are managed through intuitive mobile devices and a central Human-Machine Interface (HMI), allowing farmers to plan tasks, monitor progress, and make adjustments remotely. The robot is also compatible with intelligent implements featuring iQblue tool monitoring, iQblue flow control, and iQblue slippage control, enhancing the synergy between the robot and its attachments. This commitment to open interfaces and collaboration with other implement manufacturers ensures that the VTE 3.0 can fit into and enhance existing farm operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does the VTE 3.0 robot work autonomously? | The VTE 3.0 operates using a sophisticated combination of pre-programmed task plans, real-time sensor data (LiDAR, cameras), and GPS guidance. Its diesel-electric powertrain drives the robot and implements, while advanced algorithms ensure precise execution of tasks and safe navigation without an onboard operator. |
| What is the typical ROI for investing in the VTE 3.0? | The VTE 3.0 offers significant ROI through reduced manual labor costs, optimized resource utilization (fuel, inputs) due to precision agriculture capabilities, and increased operational efficiency from year-round, consistent performance. Its ability to work autonomously also addresses challenges related to skilled labor shortages. |
| What setup and installation are required for the VTE 3.0? | Initial setup involves defining field boundaries and task plans via the central HMI or mobile devices. Implements are attached to the standard front or rear three-point linkages. The robot is designed for easy field-to-field transport using its own wheels and a telescopic drawbar hitched to a standard tractor. |
| What maintenance is needed for the VTE 3.0? | Regular maintenance for the VTE 3.0 includes standard checks for its diesel engine, electric motors, and hydraulic systems. Additionally, sensor calibration, software updates, and inspection of robotic components and intelligent implements are required to ensure optimal performance and safety. |
| Is training required to use the VTE 3.0? | Yes, training is essential for operators to effectively utilize the VTE 3.0. This includes instruction on using the mobile control interface and central HMI for planning and monitoring, understanding safety protocols, and proper attachment and management of intelligent implements for various agricultural tasks. |
| What systems does the VTE 3.0 integrate with? | The VTE 3.0 is designed for seamless integration into modern farm management systems. It utilizes Agrirouter for data exchange and communication, and is compatible with intelligent implements featuring iQblue tool monitoring, iQblue flow control, and iQblue slippage control, supporting open interfaces for broader compatibility. |
Pricing & Availability
While specific pricing for the VTE 3.0 is not publicly available, it represents a significant investment in advanced agricultural technology. A joint sales strategy by Krone and Lemken aims to bring autonomous units to market from 2028 onwards. The final cost will depend on various factors, including specific configurations, chosen implements, and regional considerations. For detailed information on availability and to discuss how the VTE 3.0 can integrate into your operations, please contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
Support & Training
As an advanced agricultural robot, comprehensive support and training will be integral to maximizing the VTE 3.0's potential. Users can expect detailed guidance on operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting from the 'Combined Powers' network. Training programs will likely cover the efficient use of the mobile control interfaces and the central HMI, safe operational procedures, and best practices for integrating the robot with various intelligent implements to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
