Autonomous Tractors - the rise of the robots

Abstract

When it first hit the market, the uptake of auto-steer systems was exponential, despite $100,000-plus price tags for high-end units. As with most technology, the 20-year-old tech is now worthless and most probably collecting dust in the corner of many machinery sheds on farms across the country. Those pioneer auto-steer systems have been replaced with systems more sophisticated, capable and for a fraction of the cost. Technology moves at an incredible pace, particularly when improved efficiency or efficacy can be demonstrated. Autonomous systems are likely to follow in the footsteps of auto-steer according to Kondinin Group engineer, Ben White, who has seen autonomous tractors implemented on Australian farms successfully.