This is not a concept car that can drive itself from point A to point B, nor is it just a futuristic gadget. We are presenting a prototype autonomous vehicle designed to enhance agricultural research, developed by the startup Lemki Robotics, iScale3D, and Zeykan Robotics. The vehicle was conceived as a platform to advance precision agriculture and improve agri-food efficiency through a range of features. What is particularly interesting today is how this prototype was produced. The chassis was created using a pellet extrusion process. The result is a 400-kilogram (882-pound) vehicle measuring 2000 x 1300 x 800 mm (78.7 x 51.2 x 31.5 inches), with a range of 100 kilometers (62 miles), equipped with multiple sensors to carry out its tasks.
You may have heard of iScale3D and the startup Lemki Robotics. We met their teams some time ago to learn more about their 3D-printed camper van. Even then, they wanted to leverage the flexibility of additive manufacturing to rethink vehicle development. This time, they focused on a completely different application. Their wheeled robot could serve as a surveillance platform in many fields thanks to its modular architecture. This includes defense, where it can access more dangerous areas or optimize military logistics, as well as agriculture and infrastructure inspection.
The Autonomous Vehicle Design
Using 3D Printing to Build the Autonomous Vehicle
To design their robotic platform, the teams used Fused Granulate Fabrication (FGF), a process that deposits plastic granules layer by layer. For the chassis, they chose 20% glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) to achieve greater strength while optimizing weight. A robotic arm carried out the extrusion. The total printing time is unknown, but each component was completed in less than 60 hours.
The four wheels of the autonomous vehicle were 3D-printed from nylon on a large-format machine. A post-processing step (CNC milling) was then required to achieve higher precision. The tires are airless and therefore puncture-proof. The team told us they used a composite elastomer to 3D print the tires.
The Robotic Arm Used in The Process
Regarding the features of this prototype, it is equipped with four 360° cameras, a LiDAR system, and Starlink satellite connectivity. This allows it to move fully autonomously, although it can also be controlled manually. It has a neural network capable of capturing and analyzing data from its surroundings. It does not require GPS to navigate, even in remote or hazardous areas.
Environmental Impact and Future Applications
Finally, it is important to highlight that the creators aimed to minimize its environmental impact and promote a more eco-friendly solution. The team explains: “This platform proves that performance and sustainability are no longer at odds. From recycled input materials to energy-efficient autonomous navigation, every aspect of the robot is designed with the planet in mind. It is one of the first field-ready machines that aligns with circular economy principles, offering a blueprint for how the next generation of robotics can reduce environmental impact without sacrificing function or form.”
The Vehicle’s Wheels and Tires Were 3D Printed as Well
This autonomous platform is still in its early stages, but its potential is significant across many fields. In agriculture, for example, it could be used for rapid plant monitoring to manage crops more efficiently or to optimize the use of chemicals and fertilizers. In the military sector, it could serve as a control platform for a swarm of drones during complex field operations. As you can see, the applications are numerous, and only time will tell whether this 3D-printed platform will capture global attention. In the meantime, you can learn more HERE.
Photo Credit: 3DNatives
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*Photo Credits for All Images Except Graph: Vasyl Gonar/Lemki Robotics