Autonomous New Holland to hit field day circuit

New Holland has announced its NH Drive Concept Autonomous Tractor will be on show at the upcoming AgQuip, Henty, Yorke Peninsula and Elmore Field Days, where it will be put through its paces as part of a roadshow celebrating the brand’s centenary.

First unveiled at the Farm Progress Show in Iowa, USA, last year, New Holland National Product Manager Tony Peters said the firm was thrilled to be demonstrating its ability before the Australian public.

“We are excited to showcase this exciting new concept to the Australian market, and make it accessible to a large audience,” he said.

“We are eager to get the tractor in front of as many people as possible to not only showcase the technology, but provide an insight into the brand’s focus for the future as part of our commitment to sustainability and efficiency.”

Standard exterior
On the surface the T8 tractor looks like any other New Holland model, but the technology lurking just beneath its exterior – developed by CNH Industrial in partnership with US firm, Autonomous Solutions Incorporated (ASI) – will see it join the next generational shift for modern agriculture.

“The New Holland NHDrive autonomous tractor is an unmanned vehicle that is fully autonomous and can be monitored and controlled via a desktop computer or via a portable tablet interface,” said Mr Peters.

“This enables farmers to access tractor and implement data, wherever they are, from different locations, whilst checking fields from the comfort of their ute, tending livestock or whilst at home, and always whenever they need.

“This facilitates right-time decision making to enhance operational efficiency and productivity. Furthermore, farmers will maintain full control and ownership of their data.”

Transferable technology
A path-plotting screen shows the tractor’s progress, while another shows its live camera feed, providing the user with up to four real time views (two front and two rear). A further screen enables monitoring and modification of key machine and implement parameters such as engine speed, fuel levels and implement settings, including seeding rate or coulter downforce. The route to the field can also be planned, should this involve private roads or tracks.

In the future, New Holland says the NHDrive tractor will be able to completely automate grain handling during the harvest when equipped with a trailer, including unloading, transport and offloading activities.

It is conceivable, says New Holland, that in the future the complete tractor range as well as other agricultural equipment could be equipped with the autonomous NHDrive technology. Furthermore, it is possible that the cab will be completely removed in future autonomous tractors – as is the case with the Case IH autonomous concept tractor, which will also be on show at AgQuip.