In the rapidly evolving world of agritech, farmers are increasingly looking to upgrade their existing machinery to keep pace with technological advancements. One such upgrade gaining traction is the conversion of traditional tractors into autonomous vehicles. This transformation is made possible by autonomous retrofit kits, which are brand-independent and enable unmanned operations with existing tractors or fleets.
The journey to autonomous farming didn’t start with these kits. In many regions, over 95% of growers already use autosteer technology. This technology has proven invaluable in helping farmers produce high-quality crops while saving on inputs and promoting cost-efficient, sustainable farming practices. With 26 universal autosteer retrofit systems available worldwide, farmers have a plethora of independent brands and types to choose from. However, the market for autonomous retrofit kits is less crowded, with only about half as many options commercially available.
The players in the autonomous retrofit kit market are largely new specialists, rather than the established names in autosteer technology. Companies like Ag Leader, Trimble, Raven, and Topcon, which dominated the autosteer market, have yet to enter the autonomous retrofit kit space commercially. The reasons cited include the risk of failure and liability, as well as the current market potential being too small for their scale of operation. This has paved the way for new entrants like Agreenculture, Bluewhite, Braun Maschinenbau, GOtrack, GPX Solutions, Sabanto, and ThornTek, all of which are listed in the recently updated Future Farming autonomous retrofit kits catalogue.
So, what technological features and developments are currently driving the progress of autonomous retrofit kits? Adi Schechter, marketing director at Bluewhite, highlights the evolution of obstacle detection towards sensor fusion for enhanced safety. He also notes the integration of AI-driven implement control for precision spraying and mowing, and cloud-based fleet management for remote mission planning, tracking, and optimization. Jay Katupitiya from ThornTek emphasizes the ability of these kits to gather data and use AI for informed decision-making in other operations. Sara Gillum from Sabanto points out that retrofit autonomy is particularly beneficial for farmers with repetitive field operations, addressing labour shortages and improving efficiency.
The adoption of these technologies varies across different farming sectors. Bluewhite’s technology is primarily adopted by vineyard and orchard growers in high-value specialty crops. ThornTek sees interest from vineyard and livestock owners due to the potential to address labour shortages and the tedium of certain tasks. Sabanto’s technology is being used on various makes and models of tractors, from John Deere to Kubota, demonstrating the versatility of these retrofit kits.
For farmers considering an investment in a brand-independent autonomous retrofit kit, experts offer several insider tips. Adi Schechter advises ensuring connectivity, power, and fleet compatibility, and prioritizing safety and support. Joanne de Ruiter from GPX Solutions also emphasizes the importance of safety features. Sara Gillum suggests considering the elimination of the need for an operator in the driver’s seat most of the time, and the potential cost savings from using open-station tractors. Jay Katupitiya recommends trying out the technology with service providers as a risk-free way to learn about it.
As the agritech landscape continues to evolve, autonomous retrofit kits represent a significant step forward in the quest for efficient, sustainable, and labour-saving farming practices. With a growing number of options and technological advancements, farmers have more choices than ever to upgrade their existing machinery and stay competitive in the modern agricultural industry.