Daedong Kioti, a South-Korean tractor manufacturing giant renowned for its small and medium-sized compact and standard tractors, has made a significant stride in agricultural technology. The company chose the World FIRA event to unveil its latest innovation, the Kioti RT100 autonomous transport robot. This debut marks Kioti’s foray into the realm of smart farming, aiming to address critical challenges in transportation, weeding, spraying, and pest control.
The RT100, short for Robot Transport, is the first generation of Kioti’s autonomous field robot. Equipped with advanced navigation technologies such as RTK-GPS, LiDAR, and multiple 3D cameras, the RT100 can navigate fields with precision and avoid obstacles. Its skid-steer mechanism allows for efficient turning, while a wired following sensor enhances its ability to track and follow workers. The robot is powered by a battery-electric system, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.
One of the standout features of the RT100 is its three autonomous modes. The first mode allows the robot to navigate autonomously using RTK-GPS, making it ideal for pre-programmed routes and tasks. The second mode enables the RT100 to follow workers wearing a special vest, ensuring it maintains a safe distance and stops automatically when obstacles are detected. The third mode allows the robot to follow a person holding a leash, providing a hands-on approach to guiding the robot through the field. This versatility makes the RT100 a valuable asset for various farming tasks, from harvesting to transporting goods.
The RT100’s compact size and lightweight design make it highly maneuverable. Measuring 1.65 x 1.23 x 1.15 meters and weighing just 380 kilograms, it offers 4-wheel drive and can carry a payload of up to 300 kilograms. This capacity allows it to transport spray tanks, boxes of fruit, and other essential farming equipment. Its batteries provide 4 to 8 hours of autonomy at driving speeds up to 6 kph, and the battery swap system ensures minimal downtime, similar to the MQ M200 field robot. The RT100 can also climb hills with a gradient of up to 30 percent, making it suitable for varied terrain.
While the RT100 was not on display at World FIRA, Kioti plans to showcase the commercial version at this year’s Agritechnica tradeshow in Hanover, Germany. The company targets a commercial introduction in 2026, with pricing details yet to be determined. This launch signifies Kioti’s commitment to innovation and its vision for the future of agriculture. The RT100’s advanced features and versatile applications position it as a game-changer in the agricultural sector, offering farmers a reliable and efficient solution to modern farming challenges.