Winners of 2025
SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS Trophy
As part of AGRITECHNICA, the DLG awards the “SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS Trophy – Engineers’ Choice” for components and systems. In doing so, it recognises the significant importance and innovative strength of the agricultural machinery supply industry.
The DLG had previously announced the shortlist of 16 innovations nominated for the prize. From this list of ‘nominees’, a jury comprising development engineers from the agricultural machinery manufacturers exhibiting at AGRITECHNICA selected the winners of the trophy in a second round of judging.
The award ceremony for the winners took place on 9 November 2025 on the SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS Expert Stage (Hall 17, H02).
ZF Group
ZF eTD
Hall 15 | Stand C06
Subject area 07 | Drivetrain technologies
In current electric tractors, the internal combustion engine has generally been replaced by an electric motor with a reduction gearbox, without altering the familiar and tried-and-tested hydrostatic power-split CVT drivetrain.
The electric TerraDrive (eTD) from ZF Friedrichshafen takes a different, completely new approach: the modular, highly integrated electric axle system combines traction, PTO and hydraulics in a compact design for tractors up to 100 kW. This not only enables emission-free operation without any loss of power, but also means that central gearboxes, hydrostatic units, clutches and hydraulic systems can be partially eliminated or replaced by a dual electric drivetrain with energy recovery and an optimised design for maximum efficiency and flexibility during installation. At the heart of the eTD lies a highly integrated electric drive unit with two oil-cooled electric motors – one for the main drive, the other for auxiliary drives. The change in the basic design concept creates space for batteries or hydrogen tanks, which can significantly increase range and operating time. The SYSTEMS & COMPONENTS Trophy jury points out that this applies not only to traditional tractor applications but, above all, can be extended to other machinery.
The eTD thus represents a scalable, future-proof solution for emission-free agriculture without compromising on performance or functionality.
Mach, Inc.
RadX
Hall 17 | Stand C05
Subject Area 06 | Vehicle Electronics
The more technological development progresses, the more sensors are being used in agricultural machinery and tractors to improve their control systems. The raw data from these sensors is processed centrally, placing high demands on computing power and data analysis. OEMs repeatedly face difficulties in evaluating sensor data and programming efficient analysis algorithms.
Mach’s RadX radar unit is the first system of its kind to not only bring true phased-array technology to agriculture, construction, mining and land management, but also to process the captured signals internally and make them available within the OEM’s system architecture. The system utilises electronically steered beams and adaptive beamforming for high-resolution, real-time 3D detection, meaning no moving parts are required.
RadX is capable of distinguishing between soil, crop residues and vegetation, whilst simultaneously mapping the terrain surface, making the sensor particularly suitable for depth control in soil cultivation, planting and sowing machines, as well as for terrain guidance of combine harvester heads. It is also conceivable that the quality of work behind the machine could be assessed.
The RadX system from Mach thus represents a significant innovation for the future of 3D image-based environmental sensing and the control of mobile machinery in agriculture.
igus GmbH
ReBeL Cobot
Hall 16 | Stand E11
Subject Area 06 | Vehicle Electronics
High-precision and repetitive tasks such as weeding or fruit harvesting are often physically demanding and are still frequently carried out manually, requiring a significant workforce.
With the ReBeL Cobot, igus has now introduced an articulated arm robot weighing just 8 kg, which, thanks to its particularly simple operation and low price, makes the transition to automation in agriculture easier and more accessible than ever before. Equipped with sensors and grippers, it is ideally suited to tasks such as fruit harvesting, sowing or indoor farming. Depending on the application, the robotic arm can be fitted with various sensors, such as cameras, or work tools. Added to this is a simple, user-friendly and practical programming option. Using a cost-free, licence-free software test environment, users can test any kinematic configuration and thus determine, even before purchase, whether their planned application can be realised with the ReBeL.
When mounted on a suitable autonomous chassis, the igus ReBeL cobot can, for example, reduce the number of workers required during harvesting whilst enabling a higher number of harvesting passes, leading to greater efficiency and a reduced workload for harvesting staff.