1190e imp - Follow Me assistance function.

Weidemann receives the silver medal for the autonomous operability with the EuroTier Innovation Award.

Who is not familiar with the constant getting in and out of a machine for manual activities for which a Hoftrac is used as support or a transport vehicle? Here the new 1190e imp by Weidemann provides valuable support with the innovative assistance function Follow Me. This is the possibility for autonomous operability in so-called hold-to-run operation via a remote control. The machine follows the operator, who is on foot, forwards in the direction of travel. The comfortable fetching of the loader provides a very good reduction to the workload, while simultaneously increasing safety. By far, the most accidents with autonomous working machinery occur when getting in or out of the machine, therefore the reduction of these movements will present an important contribution to the level of safety in addition to a gain in comfort.

Where a second person was required in the past when working with the need to frequently get in and out of the vehicle, they can now be saved. As a result, the work time of this person is done away with or they can be effectively utilised elsewhere. In addition to this, the risk of a second person being within the work area of the machine is avoided. 

The functionality is simple and self-explanatory: the Follow Me mode is activated on the 1190e imp by the operator with a key switch. The operator steps out of the machine and activates the forward movement with the help of their remote control. In doing so, the button on the remote control must be continuously pressed for safety reasons. A virtual safety area is formed around the machine. This runs on all sides of the machine. If people, animals or objects step into the safety area, the decelerated machine comes to a standstill. 

The parking brake function, including auto-hold and hill-hold, activates in the Follow Me function in the same way it does in manual operation. As soon as the machine is standing still, the electric parking brake automatically activates. The parking brake is automatically released when the machine is put into gear again via the remote control. This provides the operator and their working environment with an additional plus in terms of safety and comfort. 

The Follow Me assistance function therefore supports optimal, traditional, manual working tasks, which occur repeatedly, like erecting pasture and electric fencing, collection and distribution tasks, like collecting heaps of leaves and cuttings, collecting stones from arable farmland, horse poo picking, individual harvesting of fruit, potatoes, etc. 

With the completely new and innovative Follow Me function, the machine can also be operated semi-automated. This function is being made available for the first time with a Hoftrac. The 1190e imp has been awarded the silver medal of the EuroTier Innovation Award 2024 for its innovative assistance function Follow Me.

The term imp in the name stands for “intelligent multifunctional partner” and refers to both the semi-automation of the machine and also to the resulting functional development. The multifunctional application results from the fact that you can drive and operate electric loaders as you have done to date, but you can also change them into the Follow Me mode at any time. All the familiar features of the electric 1190e also apply to the new model 1190e imp.