Mahindra’s Driverless Tractor could change the future of farming.
Autonomous technology is developing at a very fast pace with most manufacturers announcing their plans and strategies to launch autonomous vehicles. Indian automaker Mahindra has also announced their plans to introduce autonomous vehicles and displayed its first ever Driverless Tractor.
Developed at the Mahindra Research Valley, the Group’s hub of innovation and technology located in Chennai, the driverless tractor is all set to redefine the mechanization process for the global farmer.
The Driverless Tractor set to make farming more productive & profitable, reduce health hazard for farmers and change the future of food production.
This technology is designed to enable tractors to perform a variety of farming applications & operate varied implements.
With this launch, Mahindra becomes the pioneer in the Indian tractor industry with the unique proposition of a driverless tractor. This innovation will change the future of farming by increasing productivity, leading to increased food production to feed the growing needs of the world.
This technology will be deployed across Mahindra tractor platforms in due course of time. It will also be deployed across international markets such as USA and Japan, giving Mahindra tractors a distinct competitive edge in global markets with technological advancement being at the forefront. Mahindra plans to offer the driverless tractor technology across its range of tractors from 20 HP to 100 HP over a period of time.
Unique Features of the Driverless Tractor
- Autosteer – GPS based technology that enables a tractor to travel along a straight line.
- Auto-headland turn – Enables the tractor to orient itself along adjacent rows for continuous operation without any steering input from the farmer.
- Auto-implement lift – Feature in the tractor that automatically lifts the work tool from the ground at the end of a row and lowers the tool after the tractor has oriented itself for operation at the next row.
- Skip passing – This technology feature enables the tractor to steer to the next row for continuous operation without any intervention of the driver.
Safety Features
In addition, the driverless tractor is also equipped with some unique safety features as below:
Geofence lock – Prevents tractor from going outside the boundaries of the farm
Control via Tablet User Interface – Enables the farmer to program various inputs needed to farm efficiently. Also, offers controls to prevent the tractor veering off from its intended path or desired operation. He can also control the tractor remotely via a tablet.
Remote Engine Start Stop – Ability to stop the engine and hence, bring the tractor to a complete STOP if needed in cases of emergency
The tractor equipped with this technology can be programmed to carry out specific tasks & can also be operated remotely to perform in the field. To be available commercially from early 2018, in a phased manner.
Speaking on this occasion, Dr. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said,
“Our tractor R & D has always been at the forefront of pioneering cutting-edge solutions. Today’s display of the driverless tractor is another proud moment for us, as it opens up new possibilities in farming. We are happy to dedicate this innovative mechanization for the global farming community, in line with our Farming 3.0 proposition”.
Rajesh Jejurikar, President, Farm Equipment Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said,
“Today the need for farm mechanization is higher than ever before, due to labour shortage and the need to improve productivity and farm produce yield. Coupled with our ‘DiGiSENSE’ technology that we launched last year, the driverless tractor offers a distinct advantage to the Indian farmer by bringing an unprecedented level of intelligence to the tractor”.