As the agricultural sector moves toward the future, 2025 is poised to be a landmark year with the introduction of NPPL-R, where the ‘R’ signifies robotics. This initiative is set to revolutionize farming practices, particularly in arable farming, as a record number of farmers have signed up to test field robots and other advanced technologies this year. The excitement surrounding these innovations reflects a growing recognition of the potential benefits that unmanned autonomous tractors and smart implements can bring to the industry.
Over the past two years, Dutch arable farmers, bulb growers, vegetable and fruit producers, contractors, and livestock farmers have been introduced to the capabilities and limitations of unmanned autonomous tractors. The consensus from these early adopters is that these machines are particularly effective for soil cultivation, a trend that has continued into 2024 with unmanned operations focusing primarily on tillage. However, the implementation of such technologies brings challenges, particularly in feedback and monitoring.
In traditional farming, human operators rely on their senses to ensure that machinery performs tasks correctly. However, when a driverless tractor or autonomous field robot is at work, this human oversight is absent. Current technology allows for the monitoring of critical parameters such as PTO speed, oil temperature, working width, lift height, working depth, and potential clogging of seed tubes and spray nozzles through existing sensors. While conventional tractor-implement combinations can effectively manage these metrics, there remains a significant gap in monitoring more nuanced aspects of operation, such as the filling of cultivators or the degree of soil crumbling by rollers. Addressing this gap is crucial for the successful integration of robotics into farming.
Recognizing this need, machinery manufacturers are developing “smart” implements that can operate autonomously. For instance, Lemken became the first European manufacturer to showcase a cultivator equipped with a stereo camera and laser sensors at the SIMA trade fair in November 2022. This innovative approach allows for real-time monitoring of the implement’s condition and the quality of work performed. Lemken has since expanded its trials to include feedback and monitoring sensors on various models, including compact disc harrows and seed drills. According to Lars Heier from Lemken, the company is also exploring the use of LiDAR and radar to enhance sensor capabilities, aiming to detect and recognize machine malfunctions before they escalate.
Amazone has also made strides in this area with its AutoTill technology, which debuted at the Agritechnica trade fair in November 2023. This system initially monitors the functionality of stubble cultivators and alerts operators to any issues. Future developments aim to enable the system to respond autonomously to problems, with the ultimate goal of achieving fully unmanned autonomous cultivation. Amazone’s sensors monitor critical parameters such as overload protection and working depth, demonstrating a commitment to advancing smart farming technologies.
Meanwhile, Kuhn has introduced its Karl field robot, equipped with a prototype electric-powered rotary harrow. The focus here is on monitoring rotor speed and power demand to prevent blockages, with plans to integrate LiDAR sensors for real-time quality monitoring. Kuhn’s strategy emphasizes the need for smart soil cultivation machines, highlighting the importance of communication between autonomous vehicles and smart implements.
While some manufacturers like Kverneland, Pöttinger, and Väderstad have yet to release feedback and monitoring sensor technology, they emphasize the capability of their latest machines to work soil at varying depths using task maps and GPS. Remote monitoring features, such as tracking oil temperature in gearboxes, are already available from several manufacturers, indicating a gradual shift toward more intelligent farming practices.
As NPPL-R approaches, the agricultural community is poised to embrace a new era of smart farming. The integration of robotics and advanced monitoring technologies promises to enhance efficiency and productivity, allowing farmers to focus on strategic decision-making while machines handle the more labor-intensive aspects of farming. The road ahead may be challenging, but the potential rewards of adopting these innovations are significant, paving the way for a more sustainable and productive agricultural future.