For several weeks, eight Dutch farmers and horticulturists have been participating in a trial to test the possibilities and limitations of unmanned autonomous tractors on their farms. One of these farmers, Sjaak Huetink, a bulb grower, recently had the opportunity to test an autonomous Steyr Expert 4130 CVT tractor on his fields. His final conclusion? Cautiously optimistic.
Initially, Huetink wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about trying out an autonomous tractor. The conditions on his farm were too wet and too busy, and he was more interested in a field robot. However, after gaining a few days of experience with the autonomous tractor, his perspective changed. Huetink is always eager to adopt new technologies when it comes to cultivating lily bulbs, onions, and sedum mats for green roofs.
Huetink’s interest in automation and autonomy led him to participate in the National Fieldlab for Precision Farming (NPPL). However, he wasn’t immediately enthusiastic about working with the Steyr Expert 4130 CVT equipped with iQuus autonomous technology. The wet fields and busyness on his farm made it difficult to find the right employees to dedicate time to the trial.
Additionally, Huetink had plans to invest in a field robot within the next five years, which made him hesitant about the autonomous tractor. He explained that they are exploring the possibility of an autonomous vehicle that can perform tedious and lengthy tasks, such as shredding and milling fields or pulling stems in the lilies. However, Huetink believes that an autonomous vehicle must be able to operate for at least 1,000 hours per year and work 24/7 without supervision before he fully commits to the technology.
Despite his initial reservations, Huetink eventually worked with the autonomous Steyr Expert 4130 CVT for two days. The experience raised questions about the possibilities and limitations of autonomy. Huetink highlighted concerns about the combination of the tractor with implements and the need for solutions when a tractor works unmanned.
The plan was to let the autonomous tractor disc harrow two fields as a preparation for power harrowing. The tractor driver supervised the operations, and the experience went relatively well. However, Huetink emphasized that true autonomy is only interesting to him if the vehicle can operate without direct supervision, as he doesn’t want to lose an employee who could be operating the tractor.
The trial involving the eight participants of the NPPL aims to explore the possibilities and limitations of autonomous unmanned tractors. The autonomous system is currently configured to require a person near the tractor at all times for safety reasons. Based on feedback from the participants, the autonomous system is being adapted for use in open field crops, including an adjusted method for route planning in fields.
Huetink did encounter some disadvantages during the trial. He expressed a preference for planning and managing field boundaries and activities himself, rather than relying on someone else. He also mentioned that the current autonomous system didn’t provide the flexibility and wireless communication he is accustomed to.
In conclusion, the trial with the autonomous tractor has left Huetink cautiously optimistic about the future of automation and autonomy in farming. While there are still limitations and challenges to overcome, Huetink believes that once an autonomous vehicle can operate for a significant number of hours per year and work without supervision, he will be fully on board with the technology.