CASE IH reveals ‘growing portfolio’ of autonomous technology but commercialisation dates still an unknown

Machinery giant CASE IH has revealed a growing portfolio of autonomous and automated technology prototypes but has shied away from putting a timeline on when the pieces might be commercially available. The full-farming cycle innovations were showcased at the CNH Industrial Tech days in Phoenix on December 7 and 8 and also included an autonomous tillage solution and an electric tractor prototype. CASE IH Australia-New Zealand general manager Pete McCann said the latest developments would be a “good fit” for the local market and benefit the business priorities of farmers worldwide. Commercialisation would be announced “at a later date”, he said. “As challenges like the demand for labour continue to press our industry, the evolution of technology solutions will become increasingly important and deliver real savings and efficiencies where they’re needed most,” Mr McCann said. The three headline pieces included a driverless tillage solution, driver assist harvest solution, and an electric tractor prototype. CASE IH’s announcement comes four months after the company unveiled the agriculture industry’s first autonomous spreader, the Case IH Trident 5550 applicator, in August. The driverless tillage solution builds on CASE IH’s tractor and tillage platforms with Raven Autonomy — a sensing system — and uses AFS Soil Command tillage automation for the “ultimate agronomic and machine control” of the implement. The tech also provides site-specific tillage prescriptions to deliver the right soil management practice for every inch of soil. Mr McCann said CASE IH’s driver assist harvest solution would synchronise combine and tractor functionality. Also featuring Raven Autonomy technology, the union of tech has been promoted for allowing the farmer to coordinate the path and speed of the tractor during an “unload on the go” operation while it keeps the tractor in sync with the combine when unloading. CNH Industrial’s electric tractor prototype will feature a CASE IH model. The zero-emissions farming solution is a result of a collaboration with electrified ag innovator Monarch Tractor. CASE IH global president Scott Harris said the world had “reached a turning point” with farmers needing to increase productivity. “Case IH is responding to that need with technological, machine and method process advances throughout the value chain,” he said. “We believe these developments are the foundation of a healthier, sustainable and more-productive farming ecosystem. “We must challenge ourselves, challenge each other and take on the challenge together of revolutionising farming. “Make no mistake, our calling to innovate and enhance production has never been louder in our 180-year history.” The next five years are expected to see rapid development of autonomous technology in agriculture, especially for tech eliminating skilled-labour costs. Global autonomous solutions for harvesting and picking are still mostly in the development stage, whereas weed control solutions are already much more advanced and commercialised thanks to greater market potential.