Self-Driving Farming Vehicle Revealed

Swedish electric motorbike manufacturer Cake is planning to develop a new semi-autonomous four-wheel all-terrain vehicle for farmers.

And the Stockholm-based company has revealed a concept of the Kibb ATV to showcase how the project is progressing. 

According to Cake, the purpose of the Kibb – which is all electric – is to “handle light agricultural tasks autonomously with minimal impact to delicate ecosystems.” Production is targeted for 2025.

Development of the Kibb has been driven by rising concern over the machines currently used for farming, which contribute heavily to global greenhouse gas emissions. Cake intends to provide a lower-impact solution. 

“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 CEO Stefan Ytterborn.

Although still at an early stage in its development, the Kibb is already taking shape. Cake says it will be a “multifunctional battery-powered ATV capable of operating with or without a human driver,” although as yet there is no word on the sensors or tech that will help deliver the automated functionality. 

In addition, it will be able to perform “simple” farming tasks autonomously, freeing up owners to concentrate on other work.

A modular body with an array of attachment points will ensure compatibility with a variety of accessories, while it will also be able to power other devices.

As the Kibb moves from concept to production, Cake says it will liaise closely with farmers who have expertise in a wide range of disciplines, including organic farming, permaculture and regenerative agriculture, to further fine-tune the vehicle and address any mechanical challenges.

The Kibb is the brainchild of Swedish transportation designer Fanny Jonsson, who interned with Cake’s product design team as part of her thesis in 2022 and since her graduation has joined the unit on a full-time basis.

“When I started to build out the concept, I had real-world challenges in mind, and explored heavily where there is the most unlocked potential on the market,” said Jonsson.

“Starting from the core Cake DNA combined with a new vehicle type was truly exciting. And that Cake started manufacturing this and is giving everyone the opportunity to follow the progress from my renderings and concept to reality is an honor as well as a great tool to take zero emissions, regenerative farming to the next level.”

Vehicles that provide automated functionality in agriculture and farming are expected to play a much more prominent role in the coming years. 

Earlier in December, California start-up Monarch delivered the world’s first commercially available, electric, driver-optional smart tractor to wine and spirits producer Constellation Brands for use in a Napa Valley vineyard.