Autonomous tractors, also known as “agribots” or tractor-robots, are equipped with cutting-edge technology, they can perform different agricultural tasks autonomously, such as sowing or harvesting, without the necessity of a human driver. New technologies are revolutionizing all sectors, and the agricultural sector is not going to be left behind. One of the technologies with more possibilities is autonomous navigation, and on the land has been introduced through tractors.
What an autonomous tractor is?
An autonomous tractor is an agricultural vehicle that can perform its tasks without direct human intervention. It would be an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle), such as those which are found in the factories but in this case, are going to perform their functions on the land. Autonomous tractors are equipped with lasers, cameras, control systems or GPS navigation to avoid obstacles or perform different functions, such as planting, applying fertilizer, spraying pesticides or harvesting.
Equipment necessary for a tractor to be autonomous.
To make a tractor autonomous, a series of characteristics are required:
- Vehicle: The vehicle itself must be configured according to agricultural applications that are going to be performed. The body must have a design that facilitates the vision and the correct sensors functioning. In case of breakdown, the sensors must be accessible to replace them.
- Perception system: An autonomous tractor must be equipped with sensors that perceive the environment, such as cameras, lasers, LiDars, proximity sensors or ultrasound. These kinds of sensors help the vehicle to make decisions, detect obstacles or recognize farming.
- Control software: Control software is required to program the desired planting routes that we want the tractor to do, as well as make decisions in real-time or perform specific tasks in designated places.
- Positioning system and navigation: Autonomous tractors need a precise positioning system to navigate. This is achieved with the inclusion of a global positioning system such as GPS in the tractor´s body, an inertial navigation system such as an IMU or giving SLAM system for the vehicle. Systems that provide a robot location and map the environment simultaneously.
Autonomous tractor applications
Autonomous tractors can perform a wide variety of agricultural functions, contributing to improving crop efficiency. Some of the functions are:
- Planting and sowing: The tractor can be equipped with specialized tools to sow in the correct place and depth, thanks to its precise localization in an external environment.
- Application of fertilizers and pesticides: They can apply fertilizers or spray pesticides in a precise way, optimizing the quantity and the distribution to maximize the crop yields.
- Collection and harvest: An autonomous tractor with vision by computer can determine if a fruit is ripe or not and, subsequently, collect it and harvest it.
- Tillage and weed management: They can perform tillage operations, preparing the ground for sowing yield, such as identifying and treating weedy areas specifically.
- Harvest transportation: The tractor can transport agricultural harvest from the land to place of the processing or storage.
- Crop monitoring: Autonomous tractor serves to perform regular inspections of the yields since it is equipped with sensors that inform us of the temperature, humidity or plant status. With this information, agricultural management or decision-making about fertilization or watering is optimized.
Tractor autonomous benefits
Autonomous tractor implementation in agriculture can provide benefits for the farmers and the industry in general. Some of these benefits are:
- Less inactivity and an increase in efficiency: Autonomous tractors perform tasks continuously, without the necessity of resting and without weary, reducing the inactivity time on the land. As a result, it has achieved an acceleration in agricultural processes.
- Reduced labour cost and more safety: Tractors can carry out repetitive manual tasks autonomously, which allows farmers to optimize the use of their time and work strength. In addition to reducing the operator´s exposure to risks.
- Precision improvement: Autonomous tractors are equipped with vision sensors and technologies which allow them to detect and collect information about yields and their environment. Thanks to this, major precision in processes such as fertilization, sowing or harvesting is achieved.
- Logistics optimization and major sustainability: Autonomous tractors perform precise and efficient product transportation and movement, reducing timeouts. Also, terrain and climatology do not matter, since the tractor can be equipped with lights or wheels to follow the relevant tasks.
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