A special event took place at the FSG production site in Zernsdorf at the beginning of September: a joint driving event between tractor manufacturer AGCO Fendt and the sensor technology experts from FSG remote control devices. The background: The two companies are collaborating on a new steering joystick control concept. FSG employees took the opportunity to test drive a Fendt tractor equipped with the innovative system. Representatives from politics and business in the region were also invited.

The event marked the start of series production of the innovative control device. The LPR-2515 steering joystick, developed and patented by FSG, can replace the steering wheel in tractors when operating off public roads. Currently, the FSG joystick is approved for use in tractors at speeds up to 25 km/h on company premises and in open fields, supplementing the traditional steering wheel. AGCO Fendt, the world market leader in tractors, is using the LPR-2515 as a control option and brought a Fendt 700 Vario Gen7 tractor to Zernsdorf. This driving event also served to reaffirm the collaboration between the two companies – including for future joint projects and partnerships in the field of sensors and control devices for agricultural technology.

Improved ergonomics, freedom for new designs

The LPR-2515 steering joystick opens up a wealth of new possibilities for vehicle designers. It noticeably improves ergonomics, as controlling even large, heavy vehicles with a joystick requires only minimal effort. Even large steering angles require only the slightest movements, reducing workload.

In practice, it turns out that switching from a steering wheel to a joystick is quick and intuitive. This was also the experience of more than 70 selected FSG employees who were able to take a test drive of up to 15 minutes with a Fendt tractor through a course on the FSG company premises in Zernsdorf near Berlin on September 5th. The invitation was primarily extended to employees from the three FSG locations in Berlin, Kablow, and Zernsdorf who are involved in the development and production of the LPR-2515.

Showcase for the Dahme-Spreewald region

Naturally, representatives from politics and business in the region were also invited and present: Ludwig Scheetz, Parliamentary Managing Director of the SPD parliamentary group in Brandenburg, Michaela Wiezorek, Mayor of Königs Wusterhausen and Kristin Schiller, Location Marketing/Public Relations at the Dahme-Spreewald Economic Development Corporation.

In discussions with FSG Managing Director Christian Schulz and Fendt engineers Dennis Rebay von Ehrenwiesen and Thomas Zwick, they were able to gain firsthand insight into the future (and the potential revolution) of vehicle control systems. For FSG, it was a successful opportunity to showcase itself as a driving force and innovation leader in the Dahme-Spreewald region – with Fendt as a high-performing partner in agricultural technology.