‘Autonomy choices’

15:00 | Autonomous/semi-autosteering systems | Expert opinion

Craig Rupp CEO of Sabanto and a pioneer in autonomous farming

CNH’s cabless Magnum tractor was a bold concept in 2017, but farmers I talked to universally asked: “Why create a whole new machine when you could retrofit autonomy onto the Magnum I already own?” – Photo: James Andrews

Craig Rupp, CEO of Sabanto and a pioneer in autonomous farming, shares his perspective on the practical realities of autonomy in agriculture. As one of the first to operate a fleet of autonomous tractors, Rupp offers unique insights into why a standard autonomous tractor may often be more effective than a dedicated field robot. In this series of bi-weekly opinion pieces, he explores the reality of autonomous farming and what it could mean for farmers today.

In the world of agricultural autonomy, 2 paths are emerging: purpose-built, multifunctional field robots and standard tractors retrofitted with autonomy. When founding Sabanto, I reflected on where autonomy is heading—and the practical path to get there.

Multifunctional field robots

Compact, energy-efficient machines built for autonomy from the ground up represent the future of agriculture. However, as I noted in my last article, widespread adoption of these systems could take 30 years.

This reminds me of Precision Planting, a company that revolutionised agriculture over the past 2 decades. In 2013, Greg Sauder made a bold statement: “Your next-generation planter is already sitting in your machine shed.” Rather than requiring farmers to overhaul their equipment, he offered an incremental approach: row cleaners year one, seed meters year two, and downforce after that.

I think autonomy companies could learn from this strategy—offering farmers a way to innovate without starting from scratch.

Lessons from Deere and CNH

Even industry leaders like Deere and CNH Industrial have struggled with multifunctional designs. CNH’s cabless Magnum tractor was a bold concept, but farmers I talked to universally asked: “Why create a whole new machine when you could retrofit autonomy onto the Magnum I already own?”

Deere’s electric, 2-track autonomous tractor all but raised questions about practicality. Ultimately, Jahmy Hindman, Deere’s CTO, admitted at the 2024 CES show that an electric 8R would be twice the size, twice the weight, and 4 times the cost of its diesel counterpart—a significant leap for any farmer to consider.

Retrofit autonomy: a practical solution

I am convinced retrofitting standard tractors with autonomous systems offers an accessible and logical path forward. Even feedback from the Dutch NPPL project highlighted that many farmers prefer to retrofit existing tractors step-by-step.

Here’s a list of reasons why I and the Dutch farmers believe retrofits make sense:

Leverage existing relationships: Farmers trust their equipment and dealer networks. Retrofitted autonomy builds on that trust, ensuring continuity for parts, service, and support.

Lower risk: Retrofitting allows farmers to test autonomy without committing to the high cost of purpose-built systems.

Seamless compatibility: Retrofitted tractors integrate with existing implements, avoiding the need for an operational overhaul. It is like their implements are already sitting in their machine shed.

Flexibility: Retrofitted tractors retain manual operability, offering a fallback when technology faces challenges.

Resale Value: Retrofitted systems maintain a tractor’s core functionality, preserving value in the secondary market.

This incremental approach aligns with how farmers approach major investments: cautiously and deliberately. Retrofitted autonomy offers a way to future-proof operations while minimising risk.

Closing thoughts

Multifunctional field robots may represent the future, but retrofitted autonomy is the solution for today. By adapting tractors farmers already own, retrofits offer a cost-effective, practical entry point into autonomous farming.

As innovation progresses, these approaches may converge. But for now, the smart money is on solutions that enhance existing systems.

And remember: “Your next-generation tractor is already sitting in your machine shed.”