Robotic tractor sets world record for autonomous snow removal

Robots are setting all kinds of records these days, whether it's for Rubik's Cube solving, piece picking at a trade show, or synchronized dancing (yep, Google it). Now comes word of a record achievement that's bound to catch the eye of logistics professionals who live and work in the Snow Belt.

In March, a snowplowing robot in Finland captured the world record for snow removal with an autonomous tractor. In a trial conducted by research teams from tractor manufacturer Valtra and truck tire maker Nokian Tyres, an unmanned Valtra T254 Versu tractor equipped with Nokian Hakkapeliitta TRI tires plowed snow on a closed road in Southern Finland at a speed of 45.466 mph.

Most often used by contractors and farmers, the T254 Versu tractor is usually applied to workaday tasks in the agriculture, forestry, and municipal maintenance sectors. For its part, the Nokian tire, which was specifically designed for stability on icy and snowy surfaces, is normally used as a winter tire for tractors.

This is the second world record in sub-zero conditions set by Nokian Tyres and Valtra. In 2015, the two Finnish manufacturers teamed up with rally legend Juha Kankkunen to set the current speed record for driving a tractor on ice of 80 mph.