Part 2: What technology will lead the way: autonomous tractors or field robots?

When looking forward, what kind of vehicle is most relevant and most suitable to perform jobs and tasks autonomously? An unmanned tractor, a multipurpose field robot or a combination of both? Part 2, the unmanned tractor.

While some multifunctional or multipurpose field robots have clearly been designed to take over tasks from (un)manned tractors, they certainly will not make tractors disappear from farms for a couple of reasons. For instance because tractor driving is fun and modern-day tractors already have a wide array of supporting automation. Such as autosteer/-pilot, headland control, implement and machine control et cetera. Seen from this perspective, a driverless tractor is a small step technology wise.

Autonomous tractors

Ordering or renting a new autonomous tractor is currently possible with a limited number of manufacturers. Japanese manufacturers Kubota and Yanmar were the first to commercially offer autonomous tractors in their country of origin, Japan. Followed by Monarch Tractor as well as by John Deere. An overview of official statements from major tractor manufacturers on their autonomous tractor programs can be found here.

If you can’t wait for your preferred tractor brand to introduce an autonomous tractor suitable for your farm and operations, you can consider having an autonomous retrofit kit installed on a new or existing tractor. There are multiple third-party suppliers offering such kits in various parts of the world. Future Farming’s catalogue currently lists seven different solutions with varying specifications ranging in price from € 25,000 to € 65,000. These include Agreenculture (French), Bluewhite (American), Braun Maschinenbau (German), GOtrack (Polish), GPX Solutions (Dutch), Sabanto (American) and ThornTek (Chinese). Making an existing tractor autonomous thus is relatively affordable compared to investing in an autonomous tractor or field robot.

Other solutions from tractor manufacturer owned companies include Bear Flag Robotics (John Deere), JCA Technologies (Agco/PTx Trimble) and Raven (CNH Industrial).

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Polish company GOtrack was one of the first suppliers of a brand independent autonomous retrofit kit to upgrade existing tractors with unmanned driverless capabilities. – Photo: GOtrack

What autonomy can’t provide (yet)

Despite all the automation, a driver still has a crucial role in monitoring the work being done and in solving any clog ups or disturbances the tractor implement combination is encountering. So far, field robots as well as unmanned tractors lack sufficient capabilities in these. Experiences show that having an autonomous tractor perform field operations is no problem whatsoever. The challenge is the automation and monitoring of the implements. The good thing is that multiple manufacturers such as Amazone, Claas, John Deere, Krone/Lemken and others are working on making implements and machines smart enough to work trouble free and unsupervised in the most remote fields. As long as an internet connection is available for remote supervision and monitoring.

Another challenge coming in for driverless vehicles without a seat, steering wheel and controls to drive it, is logistics. Both in sheds and farm yards as well as on public roads. Moving a cabless field robot or autonomous tractor with a remote control isn’t as easy as quickly hopping on to move it. On public roads, transporting a cabless autonomous tractor or field robot requires pulling it as or putting it on a trailer. While a standard tractor with an autonomous retrofit kit installed, can still be used like a normal tractor. This brings certain advantages. But let’s also not forget the advantages a combination of an unmanned and manned tractor can bring.