If Batman drove a farm tractor, this would be it
If Batman switched from fighting crime to growing corn, this would be his tractor.
Wednesday, Racine-based Case IH will showcase its autonomous, or driverless, tractor concept at the National FFA (Future Farmers of America) convention in Indianapolis.
With a curvy body that’s packed with technology, the tractor takes some cues from the Batmobile.
But there’s no steering wheel or driver’s seat. Instead, the tractor uses satellites, radar, cameras and other digital gear to navigate the fields and take orders from a remote operator’s computer or tablet.
Farm equipment companies such as Case IH are developing technologies that could enable farmers to control multiple crop production machines at once from the comfort of home. Farmers could benefit from lower labor costs and increased efficiencies in the fields.
The Case IH driverless tractor was recently shown at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa. It’s a concept vehicle, at this point, but the company wanted consumer feedback.
Nearly half of the farmers surveyed at Farm Progress said they would consider using an autonomous tractor if the technology is proven.
“From an early adoption standpoint, that was a staggering response,” said Robert Zemenchik, Case IH Advanced Farming Systems' global products marketing manager.
At a base level, the autonomous vehicle is a Case IH Magnum tractor that’s currently made in Racine. Yet the differences are quickly obvious, such as no cab or steering wheel, plus layers of high-tech gadgets.
It’s a big machine aimed at large-scale operations.
Multiple tractors could be run in one field or separate fields on the same tasks or consecutive ones. One person could control them all from a laptop or tablet.
Through the use of onboard video cameras and LiDAR (light imaging, detection and ranging) sensors, the experimental tractor can sense obstacles in its path.
It will stop, on its own, until the operator assesses the situation.
The tractor also stops immediately if it loses its GPS signal or position in the field, so there shouldn’t be an out-of-control, runaway machine.
The tractor’s tasks can be modified, in real time, with the remote operator’s controls or automatic weather warnings.
The machine could, according to Case IH, reduce the risks associated with human error as it performs tasks such as spraying insecticide.
Working day and night, the tractor could make full use of short periods of favorable weather.
Case IH has planted soybeans with its autonomous tractor and is taking the machine on a world tour to display it at farm shows. The company says the driverless tractor won’t be available in the marketplace for at least a few years.
“It’s not a product launch, by any means. But it could certainly lead to one, or several, down the road,” said Leo Bose, a Case IH Advanced Farming Systems marketing manager.