Full-size autonomous tractors enter production

Several manufacturers have been trialling tractors capable of working without drivers in recent years, although various issues have prevented the experimental technology becoming generally available. These include the ability to meet appropriate legislation requirements, and ensuring the tractors’ control systems are capable of recognising and reacting appropriately to problems when they occur.

Standard cab and controls

John Deere announced in early January that a limited number of autonomous tractors will be available to purchase later this year, following three years of trials. The first model to gain the technology is the popular high horsepower 8R series. A kit including cameras and additional technology is fitted to allow autonomous working. The tractor retains its standard cab and controls, allowing it to be driven between work sites by an operator, and making it easy to switch between autonomous and driver control.

The online launch of the new technology featured a Minnesota, USA-based farmer who says there was barely any technology when he started farming, as tractors then were manually controlled and guided. He is now comfortable using a smartphone app to control and monitor his autonomous 8R-series tractor. The tractor retains its conventional cab and controls and is driven between work areas by an operator.

Increased productivity

Currently, the tractors can be used in autonomous mode only for cultivations with the John Deere TruSet chisel plough, although other tasks are likely to follow. A USA-based test user, Doug Nimz, is a fourth-generation farmer growing 880ha of arable crops in Minnesota and he highlighted benefits including freedom to carry out tasks elsewhere on the farm while essential cultivations continued 24 hours per day when weather and working conditions were suitable. He stressed that it helps solve problems including labour shortages, particularly on farms where demand is seasonal and long working hours are required for only short periods of the year.

The farmer said control through the John Deere Operations Centre mobile app is straightforward, and he can monitor all aspects of the operation and the tractor’s status from anywhere through his smartphone.

Initially, a small number of 8R-series tractors matched with the TruSet chisel plough will be available to customers in the USA.

Autonomous kit

The autonomous kit includes six pairs of stereo cameras providing 360-degree obstacle detection and ensuring precise calculation of distances. Once field boundaries are set, the system monitors the tractor’s position to within less than one inch, and geo-fencing ensures that the machine remains within the intended working area. If problems occur or an obstacle is detected then the tractor stops and the owner is alerted through the app. Images from the tractor’s cameras can be viewed, and the owner can decide whether a visit to the field is needed or whether the tractor and implement can work around the obstruction.

The autonomous system has been trained to assess the environment using hundreds of thousands of images, and each pixel from the on-board cameras is evaluated in just 100 milliseconds.

Fitting the kit to convert a standard 8R-series tractor for autonomous use takes approximately one day. Six pairs of stereo cameras provide 360-degree monitoring, and the system has been trained in recognition using hundreds of thousands of images.

Confident with system

Doug said that when he started farming, there was barely any technology and farm machinery required full manual control and guidance. Using the John Deere app, he said he can easily make changes to the operating depth and working speed, while monitoring the machine’s performance and status including fuel level and other data. Not having to spend long working days in the tractor cab cultivating has freed him to carry out other essential tasks, while knowing that if the 8R encounters a problem he will be immediately alerted through the app. He also pointed out that the autonomous tractor and cultivator combination achieves a better result in the field than he can.

When might we see the technology in Europe?

Asked when the autonomous technology is likely to become available for UK users, John Deere said there is no planned release date for areas outside the USA currently, and that there are no plans for availability in Europe
due to current legislation.

Visit our website for more Machinery news.