“Revving Up the Future: How Self-Driving Farming Vehicles Could Reshape the Industry”

**The Future of Farming: John Deere Unveils Fully Autonomous Vehicles**

The next time you pass a farm tractor tilling a field, check to make sure there’s somebody in the cab. Chances are, there won’t be. Today at CES, John Deere announced a host of new fully autonomous vehicles that it says will revolutionize farming, landscaping, and construction. Among the new vehicles the company will have to show off are an autonomous tractor, a robot lawn mower, a crewless dump truck, and another driverless tractor, but this one designed specifically for orchards.

“We’re taking our tech stack, which is nearly three decades in the making, and we’re extending it to more of our machines to safely run autonomously in these unique and complex environments that our customers work in every day,” said Jahmy Hindman, chief technology officer at John Deere.

“When we talk about autonomy, we mean full autonomy,” he added. “No one’s in the machine.”

It’s been three years since John Deere unveiled its first autonomous tractor. Commercial deliveries began in 2022, and now Hindman says that many farms have put the company’s robot equipment to work. “Those tractors are already being used by farmers to prepare the soil for planting in the next year,” he said.

Now the company is doubling down on autonomy, at a time when other vehicle manufacturers are cutting their losses. John Deere says its autonomous machines can help farmers address labor shortages, while also meeting the growing demand for food, infrastructure, and housing.

**Tractor or Computer?**

The company’s second-generation tractor is designed for large-scale agricultural operations. And in order to ensure a full, 360-degree view of the world, John Deere added 16 cameras all around the cab of the tractor that provide for triple overlapping feeds. The images are then sent for processing to an onboard Nvidia GPU because John Deere wanted to be sure the tractor’s edge AI system was doing all of its predictions and planning on the vehicle itself, and not up in the cloud.

“This ensures that the machine is running safe and reliable,” said Willy Pell, CEO of John Deere subsidiary Blue River Technology, which designs machine learning systems for agricultural operations.

John Deere’s first-generation tractors were designed specifically for the slowest and easiest works, which is fall tillage with a chisel file. The second-generation system will be for a broader set of operations, with John Deere setting the goal for a fully autonomous farming system for corn and soybeans in the US by 2030.

**Dusty the Dump Truck**

John Deere’s new autonomous dump truck is designed for industrial and construction sites. The vehicle uses a combination of sensors, including lidar, radar, and cameras, to navigate around obstacles and avoid collisions. The truck can be operated remotely or set to work autonomously, and features a hydraulic system that can adjust to different heights and loads.

**Frequently Asked Questions**

Q: What is John Deere’s goal for autonomous farming?
A: John Deere aims to have a fully autonomous farming system for corn and soybeans in the US by 2030.

Q: How many cameras does John Deere’s second-generation tractor have?
A: The second-generation tractor has 16 cameras, which provide for triple overlapping feeds.

Q: What is the purpose of John Deere’s edge AI system?
A: The edge AI system is designed to ensure the tractor’s predictions and planning are done on the vehicle itself, not in the cloud.

Q: When did John Deere start commercial deliveries of its autonomous tractors?
A: John Deere started commercial deliveries of its autonomous tractors in 2022.

**Conclusion**

John Deere’s new line of autonomous vehicles is set to revolutionize the way we farm, landscape, and construct. With a focus on safety, reliability, and efficiency, these vehicles are designed to make our lives easier and more productive. As the company continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions to come from John Deere in the years to come.**John Deere Unveils Autonomous Truck for Construction Sites**

John Deere, a leading manufacturer of agricultural and construction equipment, has revealed its latest autonomous vehicle: a heavy-duty articulated dump truck (ADT) designed for use on construction sites. The ADT, affectionately known as “Dusty,” is capable of carrying an impressive 92,000 pounds of construction materials in its front bucket, equivalent to the weight of seven African elephants.

According to John Deere executives, the goal of developing autonomous trucks for construction sites is to improve safety and productivity. Traditionally, dump truck operators face challenging conditions, including narrow roads and congested areas, which can increase the risk of accidents. By removing the human element from the equation, John Deere hopes to minimize the risk of accidents and optimize efficiency.

So, how does Dusty work? The autonomous truck operates using the same tech stack as its farming siblings, with the added ability to dynamically change its routing information to avoid obstacles and navigate around people and other vehicles on construction sites. The truck can also receive remote guidance from operators about location and timing, allowing for seamless integration with existing operations.

“Dust is unsupervised, capable of making decisions and operating safely on its own,” said Maya Sripadam, senior product manager at Blue River Technology. “It uses StarFire GPS to localize itself on the road and navigate between load and haul zones.”

In addition to the ADT, John Deere also showcased an autonomous tractor designed for use in nut orchards. This tractor, also equipped with diesel power, is designed to run air blast sprayers through dense rows of nut trees. Labor shortages have plagued the nut industry, particularly in California, where 80 percent of the world’s almond crop is grown. Autonomous tractors like this one could help address these labor issues, ensuring efficient and precise crop management.

“Workers typically drive up and down endless rows of orchards for up to 10 hours a day at 2.5 mph,” said Igino Cafiero, director of High Value Crop Autonomy. “The work is exhausting and repetitive, but it’s also essential for protecting trees from pests and disease.”

John Deere’s latest autonomous offerings mark a significant milestone in the development of autonomous agricultural and construction equipment. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative solutions emerge from the company, improving efficiency and safety in various industries.

**Frequently Asked Questions:**

1. What is the capacity of the autonomous dump truck?

The autonomous dump truck can carry an impressive 92,000 pounds of construction materials in its front bucket.

2. How does the autonomous dump truck operate?

The autonomous dump truck uses a combination of GPS, lidar sensors, and machine learning algorithms to navigate around obstacles and ensure safe operation.

3. How will autonomous construction equipment improve safety?

By removing the human element from the equation, autonomous construction equipment can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on construction sites.

4. Will autonomous farming equipment replace human workers?

Not necessarily. While autonomous farming equipment can improve efficiency and productivity, it will likely work alongside human farmers to enhance the overall farming process.

**Conclusion:**

John Deere’s latest autonomous offerings demonstrate the company’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement in various industries. With the development of autonomous dump trucks and tractors, the company is poised to revolutionize construction and farming operations, improving efficiency, safety, and productivity in the process. As the world continues to grapple with labor shortages and growing demands for agricultural production, solutions like these could prove invaluable in addressing these challenges.John Deere Introduces Autonomous Lawn Mower for Commercial Landscaping Jobs

John Deere, a leading manufacturer of agricultural and turf equipment, has recently unveiled its latest innovation – an autonomous lawn mower designed specifically for large-scale commercial landscaping jobs. This technological breakthrough is part of the company’s efforts to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and provide customers with precise control over their turf management needs.

The new autonomous lawn mower features four pairs of stereo cameras, strategically placed to provide a 360-degree view around the machine. While it may have fewer cameras compared to other John Deere models, such as tractors and dump trucks, it is designed to navigate small to medium-sized spaces, common in commercial office parks and campus yards.

“Our use cases for this technology align perfectly with constrained environments like this,” said Jason Pell, Head of Autonomous Mowing at John Deere subsidiary, Blue River. “In these spaces, there is limited unpredictability and fewer variables for the machine to account for.”

Pell highlights the significant need for autonomous turf management solutions due to labor challenges and the “deep customer pain” related to availability and quality of labor in the industry.

The autonomous mower’s technology complements John Deere’s already extensive range of turf management equipment, catering to a diverse set of customers who value precision and efficiency in their operations.

A question that inevitably arises is how much this premium technology will set customers back. John Deere has not officially announced pricing, but industry sources suggest a significant added cost, perhaps up to 10% higher than non-autonomous equipment.

For example, a regular John Deere 8R tractor and 2430 chisel plow combo can cost up to $500,000, which would make an autonomous version an additional $50,000. This extra cost may irk some customers, especially considering John Deere’s ongoing Federal Trade Commission (FTC) investigation into claims of unfair self-repair policies.

When approached for comment on pricing, a John Deere spokesperson stated, “Pricing will vary based on specific products and configurations and will be shared at a later date.”

In summary, John Deere’s foray into autonomous lawn mowers marks a significant milestone in turf management technology, addressing the critical needs of labor-strapped businesses and industries. While the financial implications of investing in this new technology are considerable, it could potentially revolutionize the way landscapes are maintained in the future.

FAQ:

1. What types of environments can the autonomous lawn mower navigate?

The machine is designed for confined spaces, including office parks and campus yards with limited unpredictability and fewer variables.

2. How many cameras does the mower feature?

It has four pairs of stereo cameras, strategically positioned to provide a 360-degree view around the machine.

3. Will customers be charged an additional fee for autonomous technology?

John Deere has not publicly announced pricing for its autonomous models, but estimates suggest a possible 10% premium over non-autonomous equipment.

4. Can farmers invest in autonomous John Deere models?

John Deere has showcased its autonomous turf management solutions at the agricultural level as well, targeting farmers and agriculture professionals. The pricing and benefits of these systems remain to be announced.

5. What factors influenced John Deere’s development of autonomous technology?

The need for efficient, precise, and labor-saving turf management solutions due to labor constraints and the pursuit of customer-driven innovation drove the development of these autonomous systems.