CE marking of an autonomous robotic mower

Vector Machines offers with the Vector WD2.0 a tool carrier that when combined with a mower deck forms a fully autonomous robotic mower. This machine is unique because of, among other things, the combination of GPS and lidar control. Because - in addition to efficiency - safety is of paramount importance to this Frisian company, the Inrato International was asked to provide support for the CE marking process. This involves both hardware and software. At the time of writing, the CE marking process is almost complete, making the first machine practically ready for market launch.

Vector Machines from Heerenveen develops various types of autonomous mowers and is on the eve of launching the Vector WD2.0. A tool carrier with mowing deck specially developed for mowing lawns with solar panels. The combination of GPS and Lidar control ensures that the position of the device is always known. This is because there is no GPS reception under the solar panels, but Lidar (Light Detection And Ranging) can still determine the position through laser beams. As soon as the laser beams above are no longer reflected back, the controller knows that the mower is out in the open again and switches to GPS positioning. 

Erik Post of Vector Machines: "The WD2.0 is more than a mower, it is really a 'tool carrier'. In fact, the autonomous driving part can also be combined with a reel mower, a mulching ring or a weed hoe. This makes it suitable not only for cutting grass on fields full of solar panels, but also for work in tree nurseries or at fruit farms, for example."

CE mark

Precisely because safety plays a crucial role in autonomous machines - especially when the machine works with sharp cutting blades - it is essential that all steps of the CE marking process are completed fully and demonstrably. Post: "Of course I know a thing or two about CE, but in this case I thought it wise to call in a specialist. After all, the tool carrier with cutting deck is a combination of a completed machine and an uncompleted machine. The latter applies to the attachment that cannot work independently."

The necessary expertise found Post at Inrato. A company that provides both advice and safety components when it comes to machine safety and signaling technology. Leendert Jan IJspeert is machine safety and hazardous materials specialist CCSE and states: "A CE marking process listens closely. After all, it demonstrates that the necessary steps have been demonstrably completed, thus establishing conformity. We assess the machine against the relevant guidelines and standards and make adjustments where necessary so that the company in question complies with the laws and regulations. For Vector Machines' implement carrier, the standard for "autonomous agricultural vehicles" would possibly fit, but the WD2.0 is not intended for agriculture. Then figure out what you do have to comply with."

Risk Inventory & Evaluation

A complete RI&E was therefore prepared in a joint process. With such an analysis, all risks are named, assessed and provided with a control measure after which they are "solved. Either truly eliminated by adjustments to the design, or by choosing a suitable safety solution that reduces the risk to an acceptable level. Post: "With this process we are now almost at the end. It is good to see that this puts the safety of the entire system under a magnifying glass, and then to do everything possible to minimize the risks based on the appropriate laws and regulations. Both on the hardware and software side. An excellent and pleasant cooperation with a partner who understands all the standards and directives, but is also practically skilled and can make the translation to our specific product, provides an excellent basis for a machine of which this mower is just the beginning."