Future Tractor Cabin

For the correct realisation of your proposals, keep into consideration the following guidelines:

Product typology: you are invited to design the interiors of a driver cabin for mid-range tractors, keeping into consideration the main instrument panels and dashboards described below, also with a view to offering a product customisable in its details and finishes. The concept you propose shall be characterised by a strong attitude towards innovation, by new stylistic code and by improved usability, taking into account the predefined elements (levers, buttons, etc.) and the mid-range target product (for ex. avoid entirely digital solutions), thus offering refined aesthetics and optimal user experience.

Contest objective: you are required to develop a new concept for a mid-range tractor driver cabin, that shall provide for the innovative design of the various elements of the cabin, including actuators, knobs, command consoles, etc., by rethinking the whole aesthetics, the user interaction, the colours, the finishes, the liveability of the cabin environment and optionally even the commands layout.

Dorado instrument panels and dashboards:
- Front instrument panel: it includes some basic functions and commands for starting up the machine, a steering wheel and other elements, such as a speedometer, an emergency button, headlights adjustment toggle, etc. The only element that shall remain untouched is the steering wheel (which falls outside the scope of the contest).
- Lifter command dashboard (right side) : it includes a series of control levers and actuators for the lifter. You cannot add commands/functions in this dashboard area, but you are nevertheless required to develop a new concept for the aesthetics/position/usability of the predefined command typology (es. control lever, button, etc.).
- Multi-purpose accessory area (left side) : this side currently hosts some basic comfort accessories, for the example cup holder, etc. You are thus invited to suggest new functionalities and elements to improve the comfort and the user experience of the cabin (ex. USB plug for charging devices, fridge, multi-purpose compartment, etc.), keeping into consideration the new needs of today’s farmers.

Other elements: in order to propose a much more comprehensive and coherent concept as a whole, you may also design other elements of the cabin, for example, the seat, the flooring, the pedals and other areas (except for the cabin roof, which falls outside the scope of the contest).

For a detailed view of the instrument panels and dashboard, for more info on the current position of the elements and for more in-depth notes, please refer to the document attached in the Material files. You will also find attached a 3D file that you may use as a starting point in your project to analyse the design area in a more thorough way.



Style and shapes: opt for a minimal style, with clean lines and refined aesthetics. The new driver cabin shall be perceived as an innovative product, very attentive to the comfort and usability while remaining inside the perimeter of the brand and of other mid-range cabins. At your discretion the possibility to use the brand colours (SAME), to create a highly recognisable product for the consumer. For more information on the style and brand identity, please refer to the catalogue attached in the Material files.

Materials and finishes: in general, you are allowed to use plastics and metals. You are invited to think of this new cabin concept also with a view to the finishes and materials customisation, by suggesting – for example – the use of co-injected elements or the possibility to choose the finishes directly during the purchase, as it happens already in other industries, including the automotive. You may suggest surface finishes realised on the mould or other surface finishes, to create, for example, textures or other effects that may enrich the overall appearance. The materials and finishes you suggest shall nevertheless be compatible with a mid-range driver cabin typology.

Target: the driver cabin you design will be used for the Dorato product line branded by SAME, dedicated to farmworkers. You are thus invited to learn more about the comfort requirements these workers might have and to turn them into design solutions offered by your concept.


Deliverables: upload all the images that better present your concepts, sharing renderings, sketches and other illustrative materials. At all events, you are required to present at least one layout showing the interiors of the driver cabin from a 3/4 view to allow for a better understanding of your project. You are also invited to include other views dedicated to the various instrument panels, dashboards and areas. At your discretion, the possibility to attach additional materials and higher resolution images inside a .ZIP archive.

Evaluation criteria: in the evaluation of your submissions SDF will take into account the following criteria:
Functionality/Usability 5/5
Aesthetics 5/5
Degree of innovation 3/5
Technical feasibility 3/5
Economic sustainability 3/5