The collaboration extends beyond autonomously controlling machines, such as the self-propelled crop protection sprayers, to full workflow automation from the office to the field. This relationship integrates Trimble’s established autonomy expertise in guidance systems, path planning, and in-field process automation with Horsch’s fleet of machines.

The first phase will bring automation to the complex planning, machine control, and logistical challenges faced by sprayer operators to improve machine performance and reduce operating errors. This functionality can significantly reduce the driver’s workload, while still allowing them to intervene at any time. In the long term, this technology establishes a basis for operating fully autonomous machines.

Horsch and Trimble have successfully collaborated on implementing control technologies and are extending this to include full machine control solutions. The companies are currently implementing a high level of automation and driver support with steering systems. With this increase in automation, a driver can perform additional in-cab tasks during active fieldwork, such as the required documentation, planning, and coordination of work processes.

“Combining the forward-thinking nature of Horsch with Trimble’s cutting-edge autonomous technology creates an opportunity for the companies to develop innovative applications for the OEM and Trimble’s agriculture network. We are building new customer-focused solutions as part of our existing connected farm ecosystem to deliver a unique and compelling solution for our customers—simplifying the complex, logistical and operational challenges of modern agriculture,”

said Finlay Wood, business area director for Trimble Autonomous Solutions.

“The unique opportunity with this collaboration is not that we are presenting a future utopia but that we are moving step-by-step towards autonomy in a pragmatic, consistent manner. We consider automation in agriculture to be one of our next key technologies, and our goal is to ultimately deliver a platform of various applications to help farmers meet the challenges of the future,”

said Theo Leeb, managing director for Horsch.

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Smart Ag will improve farmer’s operational capacity by enabling them to use automation and driverless technology on their farms.

“My dad was born in 1911 and witnessed many great advances in agriculture first-hand, from pulling equipment with horses, to tractors to auto steer,” said Tim Norris, Ag Info Tech CEO and VP Sales. “I never imagined that I would be able to experience change on the level he has, but this advanced level of artificial intelligence (AI) with Smart Ag will rapidly change how agriculture operations are performed. In comparison, Smart Ag and autonomous equipment will be as big as the tractor was after the horse.”

Smart Ag, based in Ames, Iowa is an investor-backed technology company developing autonomous farming solutions for row crop agriculture. The company was founded in 2015 and is offering aftermarket retrofit kits to automate farm equipment, as well as a platform to connect, manage, and safely operate autonomous agricultural machinery. Smart Ag is led by successful ag entrepreneur Colin Hurd and former John Deere ISG and Ag Leader Manager Mark Barglof.

For more information about Smart Ag and to request a demo of Smart Ag’s technology, visit Ag Info Tech at the 2018 Farm Science Review at Lot #394, which is at the corner of Silage Street and Friday Avenue. Ag Info Tech will also have a Smart Ag system running this fall in Knox County, Ohio. Smart Ag will go into full release in 2019.ù

Source: Ohio Ag Net

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