Yanmar upgrades robot tractor series in Japan

Yanmar Agribusiness Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Yanmar Holdings has announced the upgrades of its autonomous tractor series, which are capable of full or partially autonomous work. The new versions will go on sale in Japan from April 1st, 2021.

Stable connection and higher positioning accuracy

The upgraded autonomous tractors use a multi-frequency antenna to ensure a stable connection and higher positioning accuracy. This helps to create safer, more efficient operation as the tractor will be better able to perform its tasks.

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Because the positioning of the tractor is highly robust, it is possible to carry out precision work at lower speeds as low as 0.5 kph. Previously inaccessible tasks such as combined tilling and ridging can now be carried out by the robot tractor. – Photo: Yanmar

Positioning time is reduced by 75%

The multi-frequency antenna receives signals at three different frequencies from a GNSS satellite. This is to ensure safe autonomous driving even if the signal is interrupted on one of the frequencies. According to Yanmar positioning time is reduced by 75%, which enables the tractor to get to work faster once it arrives in the field.

Also read: Yanmar makes robot tractor affordable

No base station needed

Previously, by receiving both signal from the GNSS satellite and a correction from a base station, it was possible to achieve precision of ±3cm. The new system receives a multi-frequency signal allowing the tractor to receive local reference point positioning data to determine its position via a Virtual Reference Station (VRS). This means it is no longer necessary to install a Yanmar base station and the system can be used anywhere mobile signal is available. VRS does require use of a correction signal service.

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By receiving signals at three different frequencies from the GNSS satellite, the multi-frequency antenna can ensure safe driving even if the signal is interrupted on one of the frequencies. In addition, the positioning time is reduced by 75% allowing work to commence soon after arrival at the field. – Photo: Yanmar

Work at lower speeds

Because the positioning of the tractor is highly robust, it is possible to carry out precision work at lower speeds as low as 0.5 kph, says Yanmar. Previously inaccessible tasks such as combined tilling and ridging can now be carried out by the robot tractor.

Robot Tractor and Auto Tractor.

Yanmar first introduced its autonomous tractors for sale in the market in October 2018. Two models are available in the series, the Robot Tractor and Auto Tractor. The Robot Tractor is capable of fully autonomous operation and can be monitored by an operator, enabling more work to be completed with fewer employees. The Auto Tractor is capable of high-precision work with minimal human operation, helping to alleviate the need to have as many human workers on the farm.

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The new system receives a multi-frequency signal allowing the tractor to receive local reference point positioning data to determine its position via VRS. This means it is no longer necessary to install a Yanmar base station and the system can be used anywhere mobile signal is available. – Photo: Yanmar

Increase in large scale farming in Japan

According to Yanmar, recent years have seen an increase in large scale farming in Japan, brought on by consolidation of smaller farms into larger enterprises. At the same time, a declining and aging farming population has led to workforce shortages in Japanese agriculture.

“With these new models, Yanmar offers farmers even more value with more robust positioning technology that allows even greater flexibility in the field,” said Nagamori Masuda, Yanmar Agribusiness president.