Case IH has unveiled an autonomous concept vehicle based on a cabless row crop tractor that can operate remotely with a range of implements.
Case IH brand president Andreas Klauser said it could address on-farm labour challenges.
“While we offer auto-steering and telematics on our equipment for remote management, this concept demonstrates how our customers could remotely monitor and control machines directly.
“This technology will offer efficiency for tasks such as tillage, planting, spraying and harvesting.”
He said the concept was to validate technology and collect customer feedback.
“We look forward to getting their input regarding this concept and how it can help them achieve new production efficiency,” Mr Klauser said.
The tractor is based on a Magnum and has an interactive interface for remote monitoring of pre-programmed operations.
The onboard system automatically accounts for implement widths and plots the most efficient paths depending on the terrain, obstructions and other machines in use.
Operators remotely supervise and adjust pathways and tasks can be modified in real time.
Through the use of radar, lidar (light imaging, detection, and ranging) and onboard cameras, the vehicle can sense stationary or moving obstacles and will stop until a new path is assigned.
It will also stop if the GPS or position data is lost, or if the manual stop button is pushed.
AFS Global product marketing manager, Rob Zemenchik said the concept brings together guidance, telemetry, data sharing, and agronomic management.
“A farm manager can supervise multiple machines while he tends to other tasks or operates another vehicle,” he said.
“Multiple autonomous tractors can work as one fleet or simultaneously in multiple sub-fleets assigned to separate fields, each assigned with pre-programmed maps and prescriptions.
“So you could have one tractor pulling a chisel plow followed closely by another one operating a planter - the opportunities for efficiency are substantial.”
He said the concept technology could function in a standard tractor and use real-time weather and satellite data to optimally apply crop inputs such as nitrogen, herbicides, or fungicides.
“These enhancements really become interesting for our customers when weather comes into play.
“Because if it starts to rain in one field, the tractor will automatically stop what it’s doing and head over to another field that is dry to work on.”
The tractor has been operating earlier this year - see Case IH’s youtube channel.
