Driverless tractors are no longer a concept of the future as the first equipment was demoed at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa this week.
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and CNH Industrial announced the unveiling of concept autonomous tractors. ASI is CNH Industrial’s technology provider responsible for developing autonomous vehicle technology for a concept cabless Case IH Magnum and a concept New Holland T8, based on a current production tractor.
Autonomous seeding, planting and tillage for broad acre and row crop farming are just some of the equipment’s capabilities, according to ASI.
The real time cameras in the front and rear of the tractor will allow farmers to control the equipment via their desktop computer or tablet. They will also be able to track the tractor’s progress in the field through maps and can access data from different locations.
The tractors are versatile and can be operated manned or unmanned.
“This tractor has the ability to work autonomously in the field 24/7, while the operator can remotely monitor its activity anywhere, anytime,” Vice President of New Holland North America Brett Lieberman told Forbes. “The tractor can also be operated as a traditional tractor from the cab, making this the perfect transitional product from today into tomorrow.”
The technology could change the future of farming. Autonomous tractors could allow farmers to run their operations day and night during critical times of the year like planting and harvest.
“The NHDrive concept autonomous tractor offers us the opportunity to open up completely new horizons for future farming,” brand president of New Holland Agriculture Carlo Lambro told AgWeb. “An autonomous tractor that is able to work day and night helps solve the problem of a lack of specialized labor during the most intense seasons, makes 100 percent use of the periods of favorable weather for various farming activities and maximizes the rational use of resources.”
Farm equipment manufacturers understand the importance of high efficiency and sustainability in the agriculture industry.
“In today’s ag economy, producers know they must focus on achieving the highest level of efficiency if they want to grow and succeed,” marketing director for Case IH North America Tom Dean told AgWeb. “That’s why we are intensifying our focus on the combination of advanced technologies and agronomic design.”