Developments in autonomous tractors

Author: | Date: 19 Jul 2017

1National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture, University of Southern Queensland
2Texas A&M
3Australian Centre for Field Robotics, University of Sydney

Take home message

  1. Technology underpinning autonomous tractors is relatively advanced and has been developed by the major tractor manufacturers. Growers are currently utilising many of these technologies and realising their benefits now.
  2. There is an opportunity for the early release of autonomous tractors in Australia by engaging with machinery OEMs (original equipment manufacturers; i.e. John Deere and CNH) to incubate technology before world wide release.
  3. Technology companies are emerging that provide aftermarket solutions to make current model tractors autonomous (here and now).
  4. Disruptive technology concepts in automation / robotics are pre commercial or in the early stages of commercialisation.

Introduction

The development of autonomous and intelligent technologies provides a mechanism to increase the precision of crop management and realise additional potential from precision agriculture. This means that the right management strategy can be implemented in the right place, at the right time. The introduction of these technologies will also provide opportunities to lever and enhance past developments and improvements in cropping systems and agronomy.

While there is much interest in the development of new automation and robotic technologies, multi-national machinery manufacturers have already developed a number of incubated autonomous, agricultural technologies with near commercial potential.  Australia provides a significant opportunity in the refinement and commercial release of these technologies and is relatively advanced in comparison to North America and Europe in the practical application of precision agriculture technologies.

Methodology

A review of autonomous tractor developments and enabling technologies was undertaken to inform future engagement with equipment manufacturers and with the view of accelerating the release and adoption of autonomous tractors for the Australian Grains Industry.  The review involved commercial developments undertaken by the six largest tractor manufacturers (i.e. original equipment manufacturers, OEMs) and included John Deere, Case New Holland, AGCO, CLAAS, Same Deutz-Fahr and Kubota.  This work also examined the status of research on autonomous tractor technologies, the current status of intellectual property in this space, aftermarket technology developments, fully autonomous tractor concepts and emerging technologies.

Results and discussion

OEM developments

Autonomous vehicle enabling technologies are relatively advanced in agriculture and informed by both the potential for efficiency gains from more precise operation of tractors and the laborious, systematic nature of machine operation in agriculture. The agricultural operating environment is also conveniently suited to automation with vehicles operating in large, well defined open areas that are relatively free of obstruction and personnel.

A number of technologies have been developed over the last two decades to improve the operational efficiency and productivity of tractors (e.g. guidance, drive-by-wire, continuously variable transmissions). Technologies have also been developed to improve management of crops using precision agriculture (PA) techniques (e.g. precision seeding, variable rate application, yield monitoring). Machine to machine communications are improving logistics and coordination between multiple vehicles and new telematics solutions are now available that provide in-field management of tractor operations and monitoring of vehicle performance. These technologies are routinely used today and there is a range of products commercially available or in active development. While these technologies are being developed as products to augment human operation of the tractor, they form key technological elements of full tractor autonomy (i.e. a pathway to autonomy).

Each of the 6 major tractor manufacturers has made significant developments that inform key components of an autonomous tractor and essentially a technology pathway to autonomy. Currently this technology has been developed to augment human operations which are currently accessible via features or product offerings on tractors commercially sold and available to Australian farmers including the following:

  • hands free tractor / implement guidance including Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS; eg GPS and GLONASS) and vision based solutions;
  • variable rate control including functionality where the tractor and implement (i.e. seeding, spraying, fertilising etc.) operate in concert;
  • machine optimisation via constantly varying transmissions and adaptive control to environmental conditions and work requirements;
  • path planning / automated machine operations which includes auto turn and auto control of implement functionality for example, raising and lowering, starting and stopping operations (i.e. seeding, spraying, fertilising etc.);
  • sensing and perception which includes interaction / awareness of the machine and i) the surrounding environment, ii) the crop and iii) the task being undertaken; and
  • telematics and infield communications for remote control of tractor operations and uploading of task related data.

Table 1 provides a summary of these features which indicate each of the 6 major tractor manufacturers has made significant developments that inform key components of an autonomous tractor and essentially a technology pathway to autonomy. Currently this technology has been developed to augment human operations which are currently accessible via features or product offerings on tractors commercially sold and available to Australian farmers.

Table 1. Technology and product development for the six major tractor manufacturers relating to autonomy

Technology pathway
to autonomy

Tractor manufacturer

John Deere

CNH

AGCO

CLAAS

SAME Deutz-Fahr

Kubota

Automated tractor guidance

 x x x x x x

Variable rate technology

 x x x x x x

Drive by wire functionality

 x x x x x x

Performance optimisation

 x x x x x x

Operation & path planning

 x x x x - x

Machine to machine communication

 x x x - x -

Sensing - perception

 x x - x x -

Sensing - process monitoring

 x x - x - x

Telematics

 x x x x - x

Infield coms. and data infrastructure

 x - - x - x

In addition, the 2 major tractor manufacturers including John Deere and CNH have released operational concept vehicles to gauge consumer interest and the application of this technology in commercial farming operations and environments.  In comparison AGCO the third largest tractor manufacturer has developed a semi-autonomous concept which includes leader (i.e. manned) / follower (unmanned) technology, while Kubota has announced plans to develop autonomous driver technology.

In comparison AGCO, CLAAS and Deutz have developed sensors for both perception and process monitoring as key enablers of autonomous tractor developments which are presented as independent technologies.  It would appear that John Deere and CNH are the most advanced of the large OEMs in terms of having potential to accelerate a product to market.

Figure 1. John Deere concept autonomous vehicle.

Figure 2. Case IH autonomous tractor concept

Aftermarket solutions

In addition to the major tractor manufacturers there is the emergence of autonomous technology providers such as ASI and Precision Makers that provide 3rd party “bolt on” solutions.  Notably ASI has worked in partnership with John Deere (early autonomous tractor developments) and more recently CNH.  Precision Makers has equipped a Fendt tractor in Australia (Beefwood, Moree NSW) for autonomous commercial operations.  The emergence of these 3rd party technology providers is akin to the initial release of GPS autosteer technology in Australia by Beeline Technologies before the major tractor manufacturers. This provides an additional avenue for Australian producers to access autonomous tractor technology as an aftermarket solution.

Early adopters of aftermarket solutions are potentially exposed to compatibility issues with OEM technology and development cycles in offering a robust retrofit product (presuming this is in isolation to OEMs). The experience with GPS autosteer indicates that third party suppliers of autonomous technology however are more likely to release product before the major tractor manufacturers (in the absence of coordinated industry engagement). This provides an additional option for Australian agricultural industries to access autonomous tractor technology notwithstanding the potential for exposure to developmental risks which would need to be determined.

Disruptive technologies

Early start-ups and disruptive technologies is another potential area in which autonomous tractors / platforms may have some bearing on autonomy in agriculture outside of the work by the large OEMs.  Swarm Farm based in Central Queensland is a notable example and the most relevant to Australian agricultural industries at present. Swarm Farm is an emerging service based business that provides autonomous platforms on a contract operator basis that is currently centred on spray applications.  The service based business model means clients are less exposed to technology risk.  As the technology matures departure from the service based model is envisaged to on-sell technology to early adopters who have demonstrated technical ability to use the technology and incorporate into their farming operations.  In the interim the adoption / uptake of the technology is based on the initial growth of the current service based business model.

Further research and development

Apart from the commercial application of existing technologies, key areas of research include interaction of autonomous vehicle with unstructured environments (i.e. terrain); sensing for navigational control and environmental awareness and path planning to optimise machinery operations.  Other key areas include machine intelligence for oversight of operations and perception relating to machine / environmental / human interaction. A revision of registered intellectual property relating to autonomous tractor developments identifies machine to machine communications and sensing and perception as a primary focus.  This is suggestive of future developments in the commercialisation pipeline.

Conclusions

Tractor companies are relatively advanced in terms of the development of technologies which inform autonomous tractor concepts.  Of the 6 major tractor manufacturing companies John Deere and CNH appear to be the most advanced. Other tractor manufacturers including AGCO, CLAAS, Same Deutz-Fahr and Kubota have developed technologies which also inform various components of autonomous tractor functionality such as guidance, perception, machine optimisation and sensors for process monitoring.

In addition to the large tractor manufacturers is the emergence of technology companies providing aftermarket solutions. Similar to the advent of GPS auto steer, these companies provide an independent opportunity for farming enterprises to engage in autonomous tractor technology. The compatibility and field readiness of these technologies requires further investigation although it is noted that there are some examples of deployment under commercial operating conditions.

Emerging / disruptive technologies also feature as a potential opportunity for autonomous technologies on farm and a number of companies have developed platforms that are pre commercial or in the early stages of commercial release.  In comparison to the large tractor manufacturers the accelerated roll out of these technologies will be tempered by early adopter interest in new technology and farming systems concepts as well as the establishment of dealer network and support services.

Acknowledgement of GRDC

The research undertaken as part of this project is made possible by the significant contribution of growers through the support of GRDC.  The authors would like to thank them for their continued support.  This paper is an extract from the final report for project USQ00022 – Future FARM Theme 3 Intelligent Infrastructure Phase 1 Review.

Contact details

Craig Baillie
University of Southern Queensland
Mb: 0428 750 060
Email: craig.baillie@usq.edu.au

GRDC Project Code: USQ00022,