AMO, the think-tank office of OMA, co-founded by Rem Koolhaas and led by Samir Bantal, has collaborated with Volkswagen to design electric tractor facilitating rural mobility in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The first concept of e-tractor was presented at the "Countryside, The Future" by Rem Koolhaas, is on view at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, which was opened to the public on February 20. 

In response to the efforts on the radical changes and transformations being made to the world’s countryside, the aim of the project is to design an electric tractor and related infrastructure to help facilitate small-scale agriculture and increase the productivity of subsistence farmers while also improving power-supply and mobility in sub-Saharan Africa.

Image courtesy of Volkswagen AG, photo by Philipp Gladsome

AMO and Volkswagen have revealed a few conceptual images regarding the concept. But the model of the e-tractor can be seen at the exhibition. 

Presented as the first step of an advanced e-mobility project at the exhibition, the project is headed by Rem Koolhaas and by Samir Bantal, who is a creative director for AMO. 

"This project was about creating a meaningful and holistic system, which if done right, has the potential to bring people together and support a community. The beauty of the design will be in its simplicity and in the joy of using it," said Peter Wouda, Director of the Volkswagen Group Innovation Center Europe and Holger Lange, Project Manager at Volkswagen Group Innovation - supported by Volkswagen Group South Africa.

Image courtesy of Volkswagen AG, photo by Philipp Gladsome

At the exhibition visitors see several current global case studies and the exhibition also portrays how these advanced systems – some of which include artificial intelligence, automation, digitalization and large-scale territorial management – are altering and transforming landscapes around the world. 

"One such case study is Volkswagen’s initiative for a potential electrical tractor-sharing in Africa," said Volkswagen. 

"The suggested e-tractor would not be sold to individuals, but leased by communes and shared amongst villagers and smallholder-farmers, helping to enable individuals who can’t afford to buy their own equipment access to the specialized equipment." 

Image courtesy of Volkswagen AG, photo by Philipp Gladsome

The design of the electric tractor ecosystem is connected with the extremely high solar radiation present: the tractor will be charged from the network of solar charging stations and designed to be fully electric.

This project is the first of a broader collaboration between Volkswagen and AMO. "The joint initiative further deepens Volkswagen’s commitment to social responsibility and cultural engagement," added the company. 

The next step for the e-tractor project will be setting up relationships between Volkswagen Group South Africa and different African collaborators, universities and stakeholders to share knowledge on the technical system and its implication on local communities.

Image courtesy of Volkswagen AG, photo by Philipp Gladsome

"Countryside, The Future" exhibition will be on view until August 14, 2020 at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. 

All images courtesy of Volkswagen unless otherwise stated.

> via AMO & Volkswagen