Universal autosteer retrofit kits, once the domain of specialized American companies, are undergoing significant changes in the agricultural industry. Many of these companies have been acquired by tractor manufacturers, while others are facing new competition from Chinese manufacturers. This shift is similar to what happened with car radios, phones, and satnav systems when car makers started offering these technologies as standard features.
In the early days, autosteer systems were expensive options that were only available for the largest tractors. Companies like Ag Leader, Beeline Technologies, Raven, Topcon, and Trimble offered retrofit kits that cost more than a small tractor. However, as autosteer adoption rates have increased to around 80 to 90 percent in Australia, North America, and Europe, the aftermarket opportunities for these retrofit kits have started to decline. This has resulted in a drastic decrease in prices and manufacturers focusing on more advanced solutions, such as autonomous retrofit kits and tractors.
The trend towards more affordable autosteer technology can be seen at recent tradeshows like Agritechnica 2023. Chinese manufacturers have entered the market with affordable solutions, prompting established manufacturers like Ag Leader, Topcon, and Trimble to introduce their own affordable alternatives. For example, Heilongjiang Huida Technology offers the HD408 autopilot system starting at €3,800 / $4,000, while AgOpen GPS provides a do-it-yourself (DIY) autosteer solution starting from €500 / $550.
This shift in the market has also led to major manufacturers acquiring specialist companies in the GPS technology and retrofit kit space. Examples include AgJunction being acquired by Kubota, Hemisphere GNSS and Raven being acquired by CNH Industrial, and Trimble being acquired by Agco. These acquisitions highlight the consolidation happening in the industry as manufacturers seek to offer comprehensive solutions to farmers.
The rise of affordable autosteer technology has significant implications for farmers. With retrofit kits becoming more accessible, farmers of all sizes can benefit from the precision and efficiency that autosteer systems provide. This technology allows for more accurate and consistent field operations, reducing overlaps and optimizing input usage. It also reduces operator fatigue, allowing farmers to focus on other tasks or operate multiple machines simultaneously.
As the market continues to evolve, there is a growing demand for an updated catalogue of universal autosteer retrofit kits. Future Farming is inviting manufacturers of autosteer systems based on GPS coordinates to be part of their buying guide. This provides an opportunity for companies to showcase their products and reach a wider audience.
Overall, the introduction of more affordable autosteer technology and the consolidation of manufacturers in the industry are transforming the agricultural landscape. Farmers now have access to advanced precision guidance systems that were once only available to large-scale operations. This technology has the potential to revolutionize farming practices and improve productivity for farmers around the world.