Rostov Engineers Develop Autonomous Tractor Prototype
An autonomous tractor called Dontekh has been developed in Rostov-on-Don, where early field tests showed the vehicle significantly outperforming a conventional MTZ-80 tractor.
The Dontekh unmanned tractor was developed at Don State Technical University. Investment in the project totaled about 30 million rubles (roughly $330,000).
The vehicle has already completed several rounds of testing. In May, the autonomous tractor operated alongside an MTZ-80 on the same field, with both machines offering roughly comparable specifications. The unmanned system emerged as the clear leader, delivering productivity levels 1.5 to 2 times higher. Researchers attributed the gains to uninterrupted operation and more precise route tracking, which eliminated repeated coverage of already processed sections. At the same time, the tests exposed shortcomings in the hydraulic and control systems, and engineers are currently refining the prototype.
The Dontekh tractor belongs to the fourth traction class, the category most commonly used by farming operations. The machine has an 80-horsepower engine and a payload capacity of up to 3,200 kilograms.
