Introduction

last updated 12/09

We have already built LifeTrac, the world's first, high performance, open source, multipurpose tractor. Our learnings from this project are:

• Design-for-disassembly via bolt-together xyz beam design is feasible for building heavy equipment
• Initial results indicate that complete, life-size Erector Set or Lego Set for real technology can be built using stock steel and components
• Lifetime design, modularity, simplicity, and ease of maintenance are key features
• Initial results indicate that DIY kits - reconfiguarable from small tractors to bulldozers just like Lego Blocks - with interchangeable motors and power units - are a viable route to widespread adoption of the technology
• Cost performance in the DIY scenario appears to be a factor of 10 improvement over the competition