Karl: a concept of autonomous agricultural machinery from Kuhn

A new concept of autonomous agricultural machinery from the French company Kuhn was presented at the Sima 2023 exhibition in Paris. This is Karl, an unmanned tractor that can perform various tillage, sowing, maintenance, and harvesting operations. We talked to David Hild, Karl project manager, and learned about the features and benefits of this innovative solution.

How does Kuhn Karl work?

Karl is not just a tractor, but a whole system consisting of two parts: a traction unit and a working body. The traction unit is an electric tractor that has its own battery, GPS navigation, sensors and cameras. The working body is any agricultural tool that can be attached to the traction unit. At the exhibition, a rotary harrow was demonstrated, but Kuhn Karl can work with any other implement, such as seeders, cultivators, reapers, etc.

The peculiarity of the Karl is that it does not require a driver, but is controlled by the working body. That is, the working implement sends information about its operation, condition, energy consumption and other parameters to the traction unit, which in turn adapts its speed, direction, depth, etc. In this way, the Kuhn Karl can optimally perform the task at hand, minimizing the use of resources and time.

What are the advantages of Karl?

Karl has many advantages over traditional agricultural machinery. First, it is environmentally friendly, as it runs on electricity rather than diesel fuel. Secondly, it is economical, as it reduces the cost of fuel, maintenance, driver salaries, etc. Third, it is efficient because it can operate continuously, day and night, in all weather conditions. Fourth, it is flexible, as it can use different working bodies, depending on the needs. Fifthly, it is intelligent, as it can make decisions on its own by analyzing data from the working body and the environment. One of the important aspects is the width of the working area of 2.50 meters, which avoids the need for special permits or escorts. This facilitates the logistics and transportation of the machine between sites.

How does Kuhn Karl work in a group?

Another interesting feature of the Kuhn Karl is its ability to work in a group, or fleet, as the developers call it. This means that several Karls can work on the same site, coordinating their activities through a special program called Fleet Management System. This program allows you to set the number of Karl's needed to perform a particular operation, taking into account the size of the site, the type of working body, the deadline, etc. The program also allows you to redistribute Karls between different areas, depending on the needs. For example, if one Karl has finished his work in one area, he can move to another area where he needs help. Or if one Kuhn Karl breaks down, the others can continue working without it.

When will Karl be available for purchase?

Karl is currently a prototype that is undergoing various tests and trials. Kuhn plans to launch Karl on the market in the coming years, but has not yet given an exact date. However, according to David Hild, Kuhn Karl is not just the future of agriculture, but its present, as it has already shown its ability to perform real operations in real fields. We are therefore looking forward to making the Karl available to the general public.
 

Useful links:

1. Spare parts for the Kuhn seeder.
2. Spare parts for the Gaspardo seeder.
3. Spare parts for the Kverneland seeder.
4. More information about Kuhn Karl.