Here’s one with a cabin. In blue.
Following hot on the heels of Case IH’s cabless autonomous tractor concept release, CNH Industrial colleague, New Holland has rolled out a cabin version, the NH Drive.
Like its red counterpart, the New Holland machine has been developed with CNH’s technology provider, Autonomous Solutions Incorporated.
The New Holland looks the same as a normal T8 but can be controlled and monitored via computer.
According to New Holland, the autonomous system allows the farmer to “access tractor and implement data, wherever they are, from different locations, whilst checking fields from the comfort of their ute, whilst tending livestock or whilst at home”.
A path-plotting screen shows the tractor’s progress, while another shows a live camera feed, providing up to four real time views (two front and two rear).
Another screen enables monitoring and modification of key machine and implement functions such as engine speed, fuel levels and implement settings, including seeding rate or down force.
Travel to and from the paddock can also be planned.
New Holland said the concept tractor would be perfect “for supervised automation” reducing “the risks associated with human error as it follows predetermined and optimised plans for all activities.”
Looking identical to a standard T8, and featuring a seat, the NH Drive can also be used where autonomy is not yet possible, such as front end loader work.
The NH Drive makes full use of New Holland’s PLM (Precision Land Management) technology for precision farming.
The tractor follows optimised computer generated in-field paths, taking into account the size and shape of the paddock, pre-existing obstacles and the width of the implement.
The company says it will be fully compatible with the full suite of PLM solutions.
In the future this concept will be able to utilise previously collected yield data for the variable application of inputs and to carry out operations with maximum precision, year after year.
Like its Case counterpart, the machine works on a combination of radar, LiDAR (range finding lasers) and RGB cameras and detection of an obstacle generates a message to the remote operator for action.
New Holland says it is possible that the cab will be removed in future versions.
