Kubota: Autopilot for tractors

History

2024: Product Announcement

In early November 2024, the Japanese manufacturer of agricultural machinery Kubota announced a special kit that allows you to turn any tractor into an unmanned one. The system is based on a unit with a set of different sensors, including lidars.

It is reported that an unnamed French startup, with which Kubota entered into a partnership agreement, is taking part in the development of the platform. The installation to provide autopilot functions is mounted on the roof of the tractor. It includes two lidars, all-round cameras, sensors for monitoring the environment and detecting objects, as well as a wireless communication module. The kit includes a remote control that allows you to activate the system and change operating modes.

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futurefarming.com

The unmanned set is compatible with tractors equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) - a variator capable of smoothly changing the gear ratio in the control range. Another prerequisite is the presence of a steering system with RTK GPS support: this is a set of techniques and methods for obtaining coordinates and heights of points of terrain of centimeter accuracy using a satellite navigation system, taking into account corrections from the base station. In addition, the tractor should support TIM (Tractor Implementation Management) technology - control of attachments: it assumes that control over some functions is not carried out by the operator, but by the machine itself.

The self-driving kit is equipped with lights that use color to signal the current state of the tractor. In particular, yellow lights mean that the equipment is ready for use, and blue lights - inform that the machine is in operation and performs the task.^[1]

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