From a distance, CNH Industrial’s R4 Hybrid Power concept robot looks like a mini Zamboni. But in the field, its capability is more reminiscent of Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi’s R4 astromech droid in “Star Wars.” The little blue autonomous machine is designed to work hard in vineyards, orchards and specialty crops.
Its hybrid diesel-electric power system can operate sprayers, electric cultivators and other smart implements. Lidar sensors and cameras guide it down rows. Its motor outputs around 60 hp. But while it can’t replicate higher-horsepowered tractors’ output, Andrew Dunne, who works in brand management for New Holland Agriculture, says its ability to continuously work means that it can eventually accomplish similar tasks.
“The R4 can work day and night, so it might eventually [overtake]. It’ll just do it at a slower pace,” he said. CNH showcased its concept robot, which could see commercial production in coming years at Agritechinica 2025. It was one of several cutting-edge agricultural machines displayed across the German exhibition grounds. Their presence among the show’s estimated 2,700 vendor booths emphasized an industry-wide autonomy developmental focus.
Autonomy-focused
This emphasis spanned small startups like FarmDroid with its solar-driven mechanical weeding robot to global farm machinery brands including John Deere, featuring its retrofitted tractor autonomy kit and GUSS automated sprayer, and Kubota, which brought Danish ag-tech brand Agrointelli’s Robotti self-driving machine to its Agritechnica booth. The boxy robot was on display not far from the Japanese brand’s KATR farm tractor, a four-wheeled autonomous cargo machine designed for specialty crop farmers.
“Mostly, we do seeding, weeding and spraying,” said Jess Pedersen, a sales manager. Powered by a 72-hp Kubota engine, the Robotti navigates using six radar units and a camera system.
Several buildings away, Lars Schmitz, co-founder of Amsterdam-based AgXeed, stood in front of the second-generation T2 robot. At around $340,000, the self-driving 230-hp machine relies on lidar and radar sensors to seed, mow, cultivate and weed via lasers. He advocates for a swarm-based approach to autonomy. Smaller robots like the T2 are easier and less expensive to build and can be scaled based on operational needs. Its three-point hitch and standard PTO can pull most implements.
“This machine works on its own,” he said, noting cameras that let farmers monitor operations from afar. “That way, when you’re not with the machine, you can see if something is wrong. It sends a warning message in the app, and you can react to [the problem].”
Compatible with all standardized tractor implements, German startup Innotrac’s 75-hp Ceasar robot takes a similar multi-operational approach. GPS, cameras and lidar guide the machine through orchards and specialty crop fields. The key to autonomous machines’ success, according to Innotrac’s Katherine Anders, is their continuous capability.
“This machine can work all day. It doesn’t stop moving,” she said.
Future-minded innovation
Autonomous solutions displayed at this year’s Agritechnica included both expected and unexpected innovations. Expected technologies featured Kioti’s self-driving cargo robot (similar to Kubota’s KATR) and its concept autonomy tractor kit. LJ Tech showcased its 1,000-liter hybrid S1009 autonomous orchard sprayer, which uses cameras and millimeter wave radar for navigation. Nature Robot demonstrated its omnidirectional weeding platform.
For example, Pantec Biosolution’s technology uses medical-grade lasers to zap beetles while moving across fields, while the humanoid robot from AI.Land based in Krefeld, Germany, can automate specialty vegetable planting, tending and harvesting.
To demonstrate its capability, Tim Reddick, the German startup’s head of robotics, held up three fingers to a camera. The robot articulated one arm and individual fingers to mimic his movements. The machine, which is attached to a rotating pivot and can slide horizontally, learns by mirroring actions like pulling carrots from the ground.
“It moves pretty slowly,” Reddick said. “But we don’t need to go fast. We do it slow and steady. We don’t plant all plants at the same time, but we do it continuously.”
As demonstrated by the R4 and AI.Land’s intriguing concept, continuous-action robots that don’t ever punch out could eventually take over some of the more monotonous farming operations.