Sabanto’s Autonomy System can be installed on a number of tractor platforms. To date, our kit has been installed on a variety of John Deere, Fendt and Kubota models, and we’re still expanding. The process of how the kits are made is pretty straightforward, but first, we’ll explain what comes in a kit.
What’s in a kit?
Platform kits are a combination of our vehicle Path Finding Module (vPFM), autonomy switch box, obstacle detection sensors, cellular antennas, GNSS unit, plus a variety of sensors and actuators that bolt onto an existing tractor using our custom mounting brackets. Our custom made wiring harnesses connect all of those components together.
HOW is it made?
Sabanto is all about home-grown technology. Our teams in Ames and Nevada, Iowa, design and build prototype brackets and wiring harnesses that are made by local manufacturers for our production units.
To accelerate that process, we use 3D CAD modeling and rapid prototyping tools to create the initial build, which then gets test fit on a tractor. Our computer controlled plasma torch (shown above) cuts prototyping time down from hours to minutes.
Likewise, we design and build prototype wiring harnesses for each tractor platform.
How does it work?
Our vPFM (the tractor’s brain), shown above, was designed by Sabanto engineers, as well as the code that runs on it. In fact, we’ve created our own operating system vOS (vehicle Operating System) that processes the path plan that you create via our proprietary vehicle Mission Control (vMC) software. The vPFM works the same on any platform that we support. vMC sends the path plan to the tractor’s vPFM, which controls and monitors your tractor while it autonomously follows that path in your fields.
How is it tested?
Once the design is finalized for all the components, we assemble the entire kit on a tractor and configure it to work with our vOS software. That’s where Machine Compatibility and Systems Engineers, like Cody and Evan (pictured below), work their magic.
Durability and performance testing is completed in the next phase at our test field, located in Nevada, Iowa, and in conjunction with dealer partners.
We also extensively test all wiring harnesses, as Austin is doing, using our custom built test rig.
READY TO SHIP?
Once a new platform kit is tested and passes validation, we send out plans and specifications to our network of dealers. Drew, our Supply Chain Specialist, manages those orders and fills his inventory shelves with the kit’s components, which are packaged and shipped to your local dealer for installation.
As you might imagine, it takes quite a team to design, build, and deliver a Sabanto Autonomy System. It’s a labor of love that we’re all very proud of!
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