Volume 42, Number 18 | December 6, 2016
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RISE OF THE ROBOTS
photo: cnh
Two major brands will soon be ready to introduce autonomous tractors
Operating on their own, autonomous tractors are getting set to take the ag equipment market by storm. By Scott Garvey
T
he sight of Case IH’s 400-horsepower robotic Magnum tractor built without an operator’s station at the U.S. Farm Progress Show in August had show goers talking — and talking, and talking. There was a virtual non-stop crowd of onlookers around it from the time the show gates in Boone, Iowa, opened in the morning until they closed at the end of the day. On the other side of the show grounds, New Holland, Case IH’s sister brand under CNH ownership, unveiled its version of a robotic tractor, a conventional T8 tractor that operated with the same technology under its skin that the
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Magnum uses. The two tractors are part of the same CNH R&D program. But unlike the Magnum that was built to be just a robot, the T8 can function as both a robot and conventional tractor. Although robot tractors have appeared at farm shows before, usually as smaller-scale machines, this is the first time a major brand has indicated it definitely intends to produce an over-the-counter, high-horsepower autonomous machine to farmers. Senior executives at both brands said they think robotic tractors are part of the future of ag equipment, and they want to be part of it. Standing in front of the autonomous T8 tractor during its reveal to members of the farm media, New Holland’s vice
president, Bret Lieberman, had this to say: “This (farm equipment) industry has evolved considerably over the last 100 years. I don’t think that any of us can expect we’re going to be here 100 years from now if we don’t continue to evolve.” Case IH’s vice-president Jim Walker echoed that sentiment as he stood in front of his Magnum, “We think an autonomous vehicle with today’s farm conditions is a perfect match.” The autonomous technology inside these machines was created through a joint effort between CNH and Utah-based Autonomous Solutions Inc., which has already developed similar robotic machines for the mining sector. The tractors can be controlled via tablet or regular computer, and a farmer can get
real-time information feedback from each tractor at all times as it goes about its business. A path-plotting screen shows the tractor’s progress, another shows its live camera feed, providing the user with up to four real time views (two front and two rear). A further screen enables monitoring and modification of key machine and implement parameters such as engine speed, fuel levels and implement settings, including seeding rate or coulter downforce. The route to the field can also be planned, providing it only requires movement over private roads. Meaning if everything goes to plan, a farmer can work fields without once leaving the yard. Work assignments can be programmed into the tractors, which can include working
In This Issue
a field with GPS guidance or following pre-planned routes alone or in a convoy to perform other tasks. Using a combination of radar, LiDAR (range-finding lasers) and RGB cameras, the tractors can detect a wide range of obstacles. If one is detected, the tractor sends a message to the person responsible for its operation, who will decide if and how the tractor can avoid or bypass it. But although the CNH brands chose to make the robotic tractors the main feature of their displays last August, it will likely be three years or more before they are actually available to dealers. So why show them now?
» continued on the next page
Wheat & Chaff .................. 2 Features . ........................... 5 Crop Advisor’s Casebook..... 11 Columns ............................ 25 Machinery & Shop............. 33 Cattleman’s Corner .......... 42
new wheat varieties
tractor news roundup
Leeann minogue page 5
scott garvey page 35
FarmLife ............................ 49