European agriculture is going through a critical period. With labor becoming scarce and a growing need to reduce the carbon footprint of farms, agricultural practices must evolve.
Handling tasks like feeding livestock or loading biomethane installations requires consistency and precision. Automating these tasks is becoming essential to maintain farm productivity while reducing environmental impact.
In response to these challenges, ManuRob, an intra-startup of the M-Extend group and European specialist in agricultural handling, teamed up with Kinell, an expert in machine electrification, to develop an innovative solution: LOADIX, an autonomous robot designed to automate recurring handling tasks such as methanation, animal feeding, and farmyard cleaning.
The LOADIX project is rooted in a vision shared by ManuRob and Kinell: to provide intelligent, environmentally-friendly agricultural machinery. In partnership with Kinell, ManuRob has designed a robot, called LOADIX, which reduces the drudgery of agricultural work while improving productivity and energy efficiency.
LOADIX can switch tools based on its assigned tasks thanks to its exclusive automatic hitching system. This flexibility allows one machine to perform multiple operations, reducing cost and logistical complexity.
With advanced sensor systems developed by ManuRob, LOADIX detects materials and adjusts its movement with centimetre-level precision. This minimizes structural changes needed on the farm.
Equipped with four puncture-proof, all-wheel drive and steering wheels, LOADIX delivers optimal traction on varied surfaces, including mud and slopes. Its small turning radius and omnidirectional movements ensure excellent manoeuvrability.
Led by ManuRob, the project started with a detailed functional specification. Kinell contributed its expertise in electrification and embedded systems engineering, conducting in-depth technical studies on mobility, energy, and mass distribution at each stage.
As part of the LOADIX project for ManuRob, Kinell contributed its expertise to the design of the robot’s rolling base. This collaboration involved work on the electrification of the machine, as well as work on the control-command software, integrating safety functions in compliance with the EN ISO 13849 standard. Kinell also contributed to the industrialization of the first pre-production machines.
After a promising initial testing phase, LOADIX was tested in partner farms. These tests helped fine-tune the settings and evaluate the robot’s real impact on productivity and energy consumption.
Time savings
Operators can focus on higher value-added tasks.
Reduced energy costs
Its electric system limits reliance on fossil fuels, lowering operating expenses.
An ecological asset
By eliminating polluting emissions, LOADIX supports the energy transition of agricultural operations.
Time savings
Operators can focus on higher value-added tasks.
Reduced energy costs
Its electric system limits reliance on fossil fuels, lowering operating expenses.
An ecological asset
By eliminating polluting emissions, LOADIX supports the energy transition of agricultural operations.
Time savings
Operators can focus on higher value-added tasks.
Reduced energy costs
Its electric system limits reliance on fossil fuels, lowering operating expenses.
An ecological asset
By eliminating polluting emissions, LOADIX supports the energy transition of agricultural operations.
With LOADIX, ManuRob offers a concrete response to the challenges faced by the agricultural sector: an intelligent, autonomous, and durable robot designed to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of farms.
You are working for an OEM ? You need expertise in design and integration of engineering systems ? At Kinell, we are committed to being your trusted partner in bringing your most ambitious projects to life.
