Autonomous tractors are a big talking point at Agritechnica 2023 and the mainstream makers are not leaving it all up to the new start-ups. Claas has kitted out its new Xerion 12 with a full self-driving kit which it is calling Auto Pilot. Still at the prototype stage, this is part of a three level ‘Autonomy Connect’ technology package that for now is only on the four-tracked tractor.
The base version is basically an autosteer equipped tractor which is called Driver Assistance. But it is the mid-level offering Co-Pilot where things start to get interesting as it adds LiDAR, radar and cameras with a big dollop of AI so the tractor can then scan its surroundings and drive itself, all the operator is doing is observing. How the tractor tackles the field can be done conventionally once it knows the boundaries or you can pre-plan the route.
The full-fat version is Auto-Pilot. With this you can hop off the tractor and use the new all-encompassing Claas Connect app (and web portal) to engage autonomous driving and let the tractor do the work. Add in the likes of Amazone’s intelligent implement control where the tines on a cultivator can detect a blockage and technically it should work away until the work is done. One of the eight cameras is looking to the rear and there is also a certain amount of TIM technology employed but is further integrated rather than simply plugged in.
Commercially availability is still some years off and there is also the European legislation hurdles of autonomous vehicle working. There are several prototypes currently with the Auto Pilot technology, the majority of which are in Germany and it is not restricted to the big Xerion, other tractor ranges will also be available with the autonomous system.
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