Urban Transport

Cake developing semi-autonomous electric ATV for sustainable farming

Cake developing semi-autonomous electric ATV for sustainable farming
The Kibb electric ATV is designed to help around the farm, with or without a human rider
The Kibb electric ATV is designed to help around the farm, with or without a human rider
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The Kibb electric ATV is designed to help around the farm, with or without a human rider
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The Kibb electric ATV is designed to help around the farm, with or without a human rider
Cake says it's committed to turning the Kibb electric ATV from concept to reality by 2025
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Cake says it's committed to turning the Kibb electric ATV from concept to reality by 2025
The Kibb electric ATV will include autonomous technology to assist around the farm without a human rider
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The Kibb electric ATV will include autonomous technology to assist around the farm without a human rider
The Kibb electric ATV will be able to tow, and simultaneously power, machinery on operations around the farm
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The Kibb electric ATV will be able to tow, and simultaneously power, machinery on operations around the farm
The concept renders show three removable battery packs powering the Kibb electric ATV, though such things could change on the road to production
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The concept renders show three removable battery packs powering the Kibb electric ATV, though such things could change on the road to production
The Kibb electric ATV has built-in power ports for cabling up electric tools
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The Kibb electric ATV has built-in power ports for cabling up electric tools
View gallery - 6 images

Swedish electric moto maker Cake is aiming to help clean up large-scale farming operations by replacing polluting machinery with the Kibb, an electric four-wheeler that can ride like an all-terrain vehicle or serve as an autonomous cargo hauler.

"Sustainable and responsible farming is vital for healthy ecosystems and we are aiming to make Kibb the number one tool for all future farmers," said company CEO, Stefan Ytterborn.

The Kibb concept is inspired by a Masters thesis from transportation designer Fanny Jonsson, who interned with Cake earlier this year and has since been brought onboard to help take the project into production. It's name comes from the word for an ox in Gutniska – an ancient language from the island of Gotland in Sweden – "representing the strength combined with gentleness and positive impact for biodiversity."

The Kibb electric ATV has built-in power ports for cabling up electric tools
The Kibb electric ATV has built-in power ports for cabling up electric tools

When a worker needs to zip quietly and cleanly around the farm, a short seat is strapped onto the sturdy top bar and adjusted to fit in a similar fashion to the company's Ösa utility e-moto, and a motorcycle-like handlebar is mounted up front. The rider's feet rest on capable-looking plates on each side of the chassis.

It's too early for actual specs to be released, but it looks like the rear-wheel-drive Kibb can accommodate up to three removable battery packs, there's integrated lighting for around-the-clock operation potential, plus coil suspension front and back to smooth out the terrain, stopping power comes from disc braking on each wheel, and the chassis includes small pull-out drawers on each side to the front.

Cake hasn't yet detailed onboard sensors, but does say that an autonomous mode will be available to assist workers in the field, haul gear and cargo from A to B or tow equipment such as a planter powered by the Kibb's battery bank.

The Kibb electric ATV will include autonomous technology to assist around the farm without a human rider
The Kibb electric ATV will include autonomous technology to assist around the farm without a human rider

The modular body features various attachment points for mounting accessories, including a flat bed for stacking equipment, crates of produce and so on. And the Kibb can also serve as a mobile power station for electric tools around the farm via hidden ports in a drop-down rear section.

Aimed at supporting organic, permaculture and regenerative agriculture operations, Cake is planning to get the Kibb semi-autonomous electric ATV into production by 2025.

Source: Cake

View gallery - 6 images
2 comments
2 comments
paul314
Not a lot of other things to run into in a field. (We hope.)
TomLeeM
I see it as good for small farm jobs but I doubt it would be good for hauling or pulling large farm equipment. it looks too much like a toy than a serious farm equipment.