LS Mtron Starts Operation of Autonomous Tractors Customized for the Horse Industry

Stable Driving Demonstrated at Korea Racing Authority Jeju Ranch
Expansion of Autonomous Tractor Use to Jeju Racecourse Under Review

LS Mtron announced on the 26th that it has commenced operation of the customized autonomous driving tractor for the horse industry, 'SmarTrek,' in collaboration with the Korea Racing Authority.

The LS Mtron autonomous driving tractor SmarTrek demonstrated stable driving on pastures and tracks. As a result, on the 19th, autonomous tractor utilization training was conducted for on-site workers at the Korea Racing Authority Jeju Ranch. Operators directly set the driving routes and operated the autonomous driving, and also experienced unmanned operation using remote control devices. On the 20th, the expansion of autonomous tractor utilization was reviewed at Jeju Racecourse as well. The fenced racetrack is flatter and has clearer boundaries than pastures, making it more suitable for the application of autonomous driving technology.

A scene of training using the LS Mtron autonomous driving tractor SmarTrek at the Korea Racing Authority Jeju Ranch.
[Photo by LS Mtron]

In August, LS Mtron and the Korea Racing Authority signed a mutual cooperation MOU for the advancement of autonomous tractor technology and the joint development of autonomous tractors optimized for the horse industry. Since September, they have been sharing information and opinions related to autonomous tractors and launched a working-level consultative body for mutual exchange, continuously holding regular discussions aimed at developing autonomous tractors optimized for the horse industry field.

The two organizations aim to operate autonomous tractors on large-scale grazing pastures to perform pasture management tasks autonomously without driver intervention. Specifically, this includes ▲automatic speed adjustment by section ▲one-touch automatic route generation ▲obstacle recognition and avoidance driving ▲automatic control of work implements. The tractors are also expected to be active on tracks. Features tailored for tracks such as ▲multi-variable driving route generation ▲soft landing of work implements ▲enhanced following algorithms ▲increased tractor speed ▲advanced close driving along fences are expected to be completed by the end of next year.

Choi Jong-min, Team Leader at LS Mtron (Ph.D. in Agricultural Science), stated, "Currently, LS Mtron's autonomous tractor is at Level 3, capable of automatic control of straight and turning work implements," adding, "The obstacle detection function, which is the core and foundation for realizing Level 4 autonomous unmanned operation, has already been applied and is being utilized in agricultural fields."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.