Bobcat Makes News at CES
Bobcat used the CES show in Las Vegas to introduce several new products at different stages of development. Let’s get right to it (there is a lot here).
Autonomous Electric Tractor
The new Bobcat AT450X enabled by Agtonomy is the industry’s first autonomous and electric articulating tractor. Bobcat partnered with Agtonomy, a Silicon Valley-based, ag tech software company, to develop autonomous equipment innovations designed to increase ag productivity and performance.
“Our mission at Bobcat is to empower people to accomplish more. Through strategic partnerships with companies like Agtonomy, we are committed to advancing our worksite solutions to help solve our customers’ toughest challenges,” said Scott Park, Doosan Bobcat CEO and vice chairman. “By combining our proven equipment with the latest technologies, we are reinventing how work gets done.”
The battery-powered AT450X combines Bobcat’s articulating tractor with Agtonomy’s software and embedded-computing technology to support emissions-free and autonomous operation, thus allowing farmers to automate labor- and time-intensive tasks.
Whether remotely or autonomously, the AT450X is designed to carry out critical farm tasks in compact applications, such as vineyards and orchards. Farmers can remotely direct the tractor to execute a wide range of tasks, including mowing, spraying, precision weeding, product and material transport and other labor-intensive activities.
“By digitally transforming the equipment farmers know and trust, we can help them combat the daily challenges they face, such as labor constraints and the ever-increasing demand for sustainable farming practices in specialty crops,” said Tim Bucher, CEO and co-founder of Agtonomy. “The Bobcat AT450X with Agtonomy’s TeleFarmer technology makes the perfect end-to-end solution for agriculture and other industries allowing both companies to make a positive impact and that is what it is all about.”
To operate the AT450X, users plot the machine’s mission path via Agtonomy’s mobile application. This allows the end user to plan, execute and monitor jobs running on an unlimited number of connected machines simultaneously which can yield a positive ROI for owners. The machine leverages AI to constantly “learn” and dynamically react to its environment. Through vision-based systems, it can detect known and unknown objects to auto-stop operation if needed.
Capable of 24/7 operation, the AT450X can swap batteries when it needs to replenish its energy source. It does this by returning to its home base when its battery is low, switching to a fully charged battery and placing its drained battery back to its charging station. Bobcat will announce its commercialization details at a later date.
All-Electric Skid-Steer Loader
Bobcat introduced the all-electric S7X skid-steer loader, which CES recognized as an Innovation Award honoree in two categories, “Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy” and “Smart Cities.”
Bobcat eliminated all hydraulics, instead using electric drive motors and ball screw actuators for lift and tilt functions. With lithium-ion batteries as a fuel source, the S7X has 50% fewer components, simpler componentry and 96% less fluid, coolants and lubricants compared to traditional diesel-hydraulic loaders.
Even with the major powertrain differences, the S7X provides a familiar environment for Bobcat equipment operators thanks to the controls and instrumentation that are consistent with the traditional compact loader lineup. Its battery and electrical powertrain generate instantaneous torque up to three times greater than traditional skid-steer loaders. The S7X consumes no energy when idle, setting it apart from traditional diesel models.
Autonomous Mower
At CES, Bobcat also shared updates on its autonomous mower designed to operate with Greenzie software. Bobcat says it is accelerating its innovations in the landscaping and grounds maintenance industries with the Bobcat ZT6200 autonomous zero-turn mower. This product is in the development phase and Bobcat says it will commercialize in the coming years.
Designed to operate with software developed by Greenzie, the Bobcat ZT6200 leverages features including Bobcat’s AirFX cutting deck, joystick controls, remote operation similar to Bobcat Max Control for loaders, or autonomous operation, plus intelligent object detection.
Autonomous Concept Loader
The Bobcat unveiled the RogueX2, a second iteration of Bobcat’s original RogueX which was shown in 2023. Both the RogueX and RogueX2 loaders are all-electric and autonomous concept machines that produce zero emissions, and feature a lithium-ion battery, electric drive system and electric actuated lift and tilt kinematics with no hydraulics.
Bobcat designed and built these concepts without cabs to explore the idea of how work machines of the future can be optimized for new technologies and enable an entirely new work experience.
The original RogueX was designed with tracks, and it uses advanced workgroup kinematics to offer unique functionality that combines vertical-path, radial-path and variable-path lift capabilities in one machine.
The company designed the RogueX2 wheels (the original RogueX used tracks) to optimize the electric battery run time. The X2 also features axial flux motors, which gives the machine incredible tractive effort. The machine delivers greater power output for demanding applications like grading, digging or powering attachments for heavy-duty work.
