Future of farms is here
IT HAS the potential to revolutionise agriculture and since its unveiling last year has created a buzz around the world – and now Case IH’s Autonomous Concept Vehicle has finally made it to Australia.
The driverless concept vehicle, a cabless tractor that can operate autonomously with a wide range of field implements, last year made its debut at the biggest agricultural event in the United States, Farm Progress.
It was later unveiled at Australia’s equivalent event, AgQuip.
“The ACV is a glimpse into the future for agriculture and proof of the impact technology is having on our industry,” Case IH Australia New Zealand marketing manager Pete McCann said.
“No one could have imagined a driverless tractor 10 years ago, but the ACV shows us that one day they could be a reality.
“It’s the perfect example of the possibilities before us and the fact the next big revolution in agriculture could be just around the corner.
“To be able to bring the ACV to Australia and show it to AgQuip visitors is very exciting for all of the Case IH team.”
Initially created to demonstrate the available technology and initiate customer feedback on the need for future autonomous products, the ACV’s Australian visit topped off a huge year for Case IH.
While the ACV was the focal point for Case IH’s AgQuip site this year, the brand also took the opportunity to celebrate its 175th anniversary with AgQuip visitors and mark the anniversaries of a number of its flagship machines.
These included the Patriot sprayer, which reached
25 years, the Steiger Quadtrac at 20 years and the Axial-Flow combine at
40 years.
The ACV was on display for the three days of the event and provided an opportunity for visitors to get up close to the vehicle and learn more about its capabilities from Case IH representatives who made the trip from the US.
Rob Zemenchik, global product manager for Advanced
Farming Systems, said autonomous tractor operations potentially offered producers more control, monitoring capabilities and cost savings through greater efficiencies with tasks like tillage, planting, spraying and harvesting.
Mr Zemenchik said an operator could potentially supervise the activities of multiple machines via a tablet or desktop computer while
completing other tasks, and a number of autonomous tractors could work together on the one task or on multiple tasks simultaneously.
The ACV’s onboard system automatically accounted for implement widths and plotted the most efficient paths depending on terrain, obstructions and other machines in the vicinity.
Pete McCann said the chance to view the ACV at this year’s AgQuip was a once-ina-lifetime opportunity.
“You don’t have to come from the land or own a tractor to appreciate just how special this concept vehicle is,” he said.
“Autonomous operations are being considered across many industries and the Case IH ACV is one of the finest indications of what we may see in the not-too-distant future.”