NEW HOLLAND, Pa. — Two autonomous tractors were unveiled at this year’s Farm Progress Show in Iowa, Aug. 30.
The New Holland NHDrive and Case IH Magnum concept tractors feature driverless technology, which can perform a wide range of farming tasks day and night.
The tractor is also able to reach the field autonomously via private on-farm tracks, to work together with other autonomous or traditional operator controlled machines and courtesy of the cab it can still be driven by an operator ensuring maximum flexibility.
Efficiency and sustainability. Developed by CNH Industrial in collaboration with its long-standing technology provider Autonomous Solutions Incorporated, ASI, a Utah-based company, the New Holland NHDrive autonomous tractor is an unmanned vehicle that is fully autonomous and can be monitored and controlled via a desktop computer or via a portable tablet interface.
Easy access
This enables farmers to access tractor and implement data, wherever they are, from different locations, while checking fields from the comfort of their pick-up, while tending livestock or from home, and always whenever they need.
This facilitates right-time decision making to enhance operational efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, farmers will maintain full control and ownership of their data.
A path-plotting screen shows the tractor’s progress, another shows its live camera feed, providing the user with up to four real time views (two front and two rear).
A further screen enables monitoring and modification of key machine and implement parameters such as engine speed, fuel levels and implement settings, including seeding rate or coulter downforce.
Setting the route
The route to the field can also be planned, should this involve private roads or tracks.
The NHDrive concept tractor is equipped with a seeder, and is able to autonomously seed the next crop straight behind the combine. Using an application installed on a portable device, perfect for supervised automation, such as an operator driving a combine, or on a desktop computer, perfect for the farmer working in his farm office, the tractor and implement parameters can be continually monitored and controlled, and changes can be made if necessary.
Able to work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the NHDrive tractor helps to reduce the risks associated with human error as it follows predetermined and optimised plans for all activities.
It is able to reach higher levels of productivity and efficiency than traditional methods. The NHDrive can make full use of the periods of favourable weather for farming operations by working day and night.
In the future, the NHDrive tractor will be able to completely automate grain handling during the harvest when equipped with a trailer, including unloading, transport and offloading activities.
Maximum flexibility
The NHDrive concept tractor is equipped with a cab that is completely identical to that of a standard T8. This means that it can also be used for those operations where complete autonomy is not yet possible, such as front loader work and high speed road transport.
Following the path
As regards getting around the farm, the NHDrive tractor can travel on pre-mapped private paths. Simply “tell it” where to go and what it has to do once it has reached its destination via private tracks, and the tractor will get to work, either individually or in a convoy.
The NHDrive tractor follows optimized in-field paths, which are automatically generated by the software, after having taken into account the size and shape of the field, any pre-existing obstacles and the width of the implement to be used. Furthermore, it will be fully compatible with the full suite of PLM solutions.
In the future this concept will be able to utilise previously collected yield data for the variable application of inputs and to carry out operations with maximum precision, year after year. The results are increased operating efficiency and the ability to make the most of short operating windows.
The NHDrive tractor is able to work alongside other autonomous machines and can also work in tandem with machines driven by an operator.
For more information, visit www.asirobots.com.
