ZF reveals Innovation Tractor

For its most ambitious off-highway project to date, driveline and chassis technology expert ZF has taken a range of its intelligent systems – including electric single-wheel drive, networking sensors, automated hitching and manoeuvring – and packaged them into what the company has coined, the 'Innovation Tractor'.

"Our systems expertise enables us to combine established stand-alone systems to create a network so we can make vehicles see, think and act," says ZF Head of Research and Development, Dr Harald Naunheimer.

"This enables end customers in the construction, agricultural and other off-highway segments to use entirely new automation approaches."

ZF has designed the tractor to demonstrate how safety, comfort and efficiency can be enhanced by applying intelligent systems from passenger cars to off-highway vehicles.

Eyes and brain

Six cameras mounted on the driver's cab and hood are the 'eyes' of the tractor while a computer acts as the 'brain', which analyses the images from the camera to generate a surround-view image of the tractor's spatial environment.

The driver can view this image on a tablet from various perspectives including a bird's-eye view. They can also see an overview of the tractor's movements on the tablet.

Additional cameras are available at the rear of the tractor with a separate data processing unit; these are used to monitor the hitching of implements or for pedestrian detection when changing implements.

ZF says these systems can considerably reduce the risk of accidents, particularly in narrow depots.

Remote control

One of the standout features of the Innovation Tractor is its ability to be controlled via a tablet from outside the cab by an operator.

In remote control mode, the tractor is outlined as a bird's-eye view on the tablet display, with all relevant driving and steering commands managed from there.

For example, dragging the tractor to the right or left on the screen with a finger will move the actual vehicle in the chosen direction.

When reversing, the user only need specify the direction in which to steer the tractor and the system calculates and executes all necessary steering movements.

Users can also set the speed at which the vehicle moves by swiping the screen from the centre to the edge. The further towards the edge of the screen, the faster the machine will travel.

The maximum forward speed is 4km/h while the top reversing speed is 2km/h. When contact with the screen is removed, the tractor stops automatically.

Users can also use the remote control function to control a tractor-trailer combination.

Hitch-detection

Another use of the cameras on board is to automatically detect the optimum hitching position for implements.

A camera detects the exact position and angle of the implement to be hitched in relation to the tractor by using special targets on the trailer or implement.

The position is continuously measured during the hitching process and the Innovation Tractor then manoeuvres automatically until it reaches the optimum position for hitching, which is then done by hand.

Safety first

ZF has also applied its expertise in safety technology on the Innovation Tractor by installing a Pedestrian Detection function which utilises the multiple cameras on-board.

The cameras detect and capture images of pedestrians located between the vehicle and trailer, which are then displayed on the tablet of the user controlling the tractor. If the user fails to respond, the system will stop the vehicle from moving any further.

Chassis and driveline systems

An electric steering system required for automatic driving functions has been built into the control network, which is driven by ZF's TERRAMATIC transmission and TERRA generator module.

According to ZF, the system can provide 60kW of continuous electrical power for implements and trailers.

Ultimate traction

In addition to the tractor, ZF has also extended its expertise to specialised trailers for agricultural and construction applications, designed to be used in conjunction with the Innovation Tractor.

The trailer features another key innovation by ZF – an electrical wheel head with a three-phase asynchronous motor.

ZF says the all-wheel drive of the Innovation tractor and the electrical boost from the single-wheel drive on the trailer complement each other to deliver optimum traction on tricky terrain such as muddy or loose ground.

ZF claims the smart combo can also tackle uphill gradients of up to 30 per cent, which is normally off-limits to conventional tractor-trailer set-ups.

"True to the ZF innovation concept, the Innovation Tractor brings together in a test prototype all the new functions we believe are practical for agricultural and construction applications," says ZF's Dr. Naunheimer.

"The focus was on demonstrating what is already possible and technically feasible today, but also sets a benchmark on future innovation."