John Deere has introduced its next-generation autonomous machinery, designed to address labor shortages in agriculture, construction, and landscaping. The new system integrates advanced perception technology, allowing tractors to perform tasks like tillage, orchard spraying, and landscaping with minimal human intervention. This development marks a significant leap forward in automation, leveraging two decades of technological advancements to create a seamless and efficient solution for farmers and contractors.
Revolutionizing Tillage with Simplified Autonomy
The company is initially focusing on tillage applications due to their relative simplicity. Farmers can now set up and plan operations using the John Deere Operations Center, where they create work plans based on agronomic data collected during harvest. Once the plan is sent to the tractor, the farmer activates autonomy mode via the G5 display and launches the task remotely through a mobile app. This allows farmers to leave the field and monitor progress from afar, ensuring efficiency and flexibility in farm management.
In more detail, the process begins with setting up and planning in the Operations Center, where farmers outline the boundaries and specific tasks for the autonomous tractor. After sending the plan to the tractor, the integrated tech stack, including AutoTrac Turn Automation and AutoPath, takes over. Farmers simply need to bring the tractor to the field, enable autonomy mode, and start the tillage operation through their mobile device. They can then focus on other tasks while monitoring the tractor's progress remotely. If an obstacle is encountered, farmers can view a live camera feed to make decisions. Upon completion, farmers can analyze the generated data to improve future operations.
Enhanced Perception System for Faster and Safer Operations
The second-generation autonomy system features an advanced perception setup with 16 cameras mounted around the tractor cab, providing a comprehensive view of the environment. This system uses triple-overlap stereoscopic vision, improving depth perception and enabling the tractor to operate at speeds up to 12 mph, 40% faster than previous models. The enhanced capabilities allow for quicker post-harvest tillage and better reaction times to obstacles, ensuring safer and more efficient fieldwork.
To achieve this, John Deere has redesigned the perception system to include a halo of cameras on all four sides of the cab, creating a steady stereoscopic visual feed. The cameras are placed strategically to provide accurate depth perception at long ranges, which is crucial for identifying and reacting to potential obstructions. The system's ability to self-correct without moving parts ensures stability even in challenging conditions. Additionally, local processing by rugged GPUs allows for quick calculations, eliminating the need for constant data connections. This technology is being adapted for use in various industries, including quarrying and orchard spraying, with plans to expand across Deere’s entire product lineup. The company remains committed to achieving a fully autonomous farm production system by 2030.