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Spending hours on a tractor seat, pass after pass, field after field can be a delight or a drudgery depending on the task and the length of a farmer's to-do list. Little wonder why many have dreamed of tractors that drive themselves, freeing farmers up to undertake other jobs while the driverless tractor does the fieldwork.

Equipment manufacturers are working to fulfill that dream. A few autonomous models are already commercially available (or kits to make existing tractors driverless). Multiple prototypes are being tested. Regardless, the road to full automation for agriculture will be long and bumpy. That's according to a recent Rabobank report, "Agtech in focus: Agriculture is driving slowly toward autonomous machines."

A LOOK BACK

Farmers have long been interested in a driverless tractor. One early DIY attempt was built in 1940 by Frank Andrew. The Palmyra, Illinois, farmer and Extension specialist rigged a system so a tractor without a driver could till a field in a series of circles. Watch the 1940 Frank Andrew video at https://www.youtube.com/…

Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been on the automation pathway for nearly three decades. Their vision began with GPS-powered navigation systems in the 1990s. Guidance and auto-steering systems are now commonplace, helping to reduce operator stress and strain while improving steering accuracy.

A LOOK AHEAD

Huge advances in automation have occurred since then. And driverless tractors (as well as robotic machines that perform specific tasks) are on the market today. Notably, few models are available, and they tend to be lower horsepower, operating primarily in orchards, vineyards and specialty crops.

These early efforts are a promise of better things to come. According to the Rabobank report's authors, Doriana Milenkova and Cindy van Rijswick, leading OEMs over the past three years have strengthened their autonomous technology capabilities through acquisitions and joint ventures, investing mainly in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.

"It's clear that the continuing innovation in field operations is the ultimate priority of OEMs rather than autonomous tractors specifically. Their strategy is to offer a diverse portfolio of precision ag solutions for direct productivity gains in each stage of the [crop] production cycle," the authors conclude.

HURDLES

Still, producing a fully autonomous production system for corn and soybeans, possibly as early as 2030 as some companies have promised, will be challenging. The report points out there are several areas that need to be addressed before there's broad commercialization of autonomous tractors by OEMs.

1. Safety Regulations. Potential legal liability in case of an accident gives OEMs pause to introduce autonomous tractors. In addition, regulatory framework -- here and abroad -- is still evolving and must be in place. OEMs will also need to comply with safety requirements for self-evolving capabilities like AI and machine learning, which are embedded in autonomous vehicles.

2. Cybersecurity. Here, too, concerns about malicious misuse are subject to regulations as autonomous machines are connected to online platforms and collect tons of data.

3. Business Model. High investment costs of innovation need a return for both OEMs and the farmer. Currently, for robots and other automation solutions, renting and subscription models are more common than purchase, partly because conventional distribution channels via machinery dealers and leasing companies aren't fully available.

4. Flexibility. Farmers desire a "plug and play" function where autonomous technology works between brands and paint color. That's possible only by applying an open-source digital model using a standardized language between the equipment's sensors and controllers.

Despite the benefits autonomous machines can bring to the field, the ultimate decision still comes down to the customer: the farmer. Will they trust the technology enough to give up important field operations like planting and harvest? Will the driverless machines prove their value and benefits to justify the cost?

Time will tell. Meanwhile, habits can be hard to break. After all, for many, sitting for hours on a tractor seat is a delight.

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-- Watch the 1940 Frank Andrew video at https://www.youtube.com/…

-- Email Gregg Hillyer at gregg.hillyer@dtn.com, or follow Gregg on social platform X @GreggHillyer-- Email Gregg Hillyer at gregg.hillyer@dtn.com, or follow Gregg on social platform X @GreggHillyer

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