Smart tractor with BeiDou navigation system successfully tested in Tunisia

TUNIS, March 10  -- A self-driving tractor with application of BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) was tested successfully Sunday in northwestern Tunisia.

The representatives of China-Arab BDS/GNSS center and the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization (AICTO), as well as the academic staff of an engineering school in Mjez El-Beb region in northwestern Tunisia, attended the test ceremony.

This smart tractor, used in various agricultural activities, was equipped with a BDS, so that it can be controlled remotely without a driver.

"I am very impressed and surprised by the quality of the equipment offered by BeiDou," said Sami Trimech, the strategic planning and development director at AICTO.

"We had a dream to bring BeiDou to the Arab countries," said Nour Laabidi, the project manager at AICTO and head of China-Arab BDS/GNSS center in Tunisia.

"This is a pilot project. We are happy to implement it in our country and I hope that all Arab countries will be able to use this Chinese technology," said Laabidi.

Hassan Kherroubi, a specialist in the mechanical industry at the Mjez El-Beb engineering school, stressed the contribution of this Chinese technology to the agricultural sector in Tunisia.

According to Kherroubi, a series of agricultural activities, including the harvest, will be more profitable and more effective with such technologies.

"Our main concern is to benefit all Arab and African countries of this fruitful cooperation between Tunisia and China," Kherroubi said, adding that this advanced technology will bring a bright future to the region.

BDS is compatible with other navigation systems, such as GPS, and users can receive services from both systems at the same time, improving positioning accuracy.