Driverless Tractor Ready To Be Introduced
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Farb Guidance Systems (FGS) is just weeks away from introducing a driverless tractor. The company is assembling its prototype tractor for field testing and evaluation. Once completed, initial orders will begin to be filled. This tractor is expected to be just the first in a series of driverless farm equipment.
“We are a technology company offering a guidance system for the next generation of tractor where no driver is needed,” says John Bruce, vice president, Farb Guidance Systems. “Our system will gather information as it goes through the field. We will map the field or use existing GPS maps to identify obstacles and draw a virtual fence around it and them.”
Bruce explains that if the tractor crosses a fence, or another obstacle shows up, the tractor will stop. Options for identifying moving or “new” obstacles include radar and LiDAR systems.
“Customers will be able to order the scanning system they prefer,” says Bruce. “Once installed, our guidance system sees better than a person can, such as at night or on a dusty day.”
While several major agricultural equipment companies have introduced restricted guidance systems for equipment such as grain carts, it requires a person in the field.
“The difference between us and our competition is that we have parts numbers and prices and are ready to deliver to customers,” he says. “We use off the shelf engines and drive systems.”
Another difference is the type of tractor it will be. “We’ll have no cab, no steering wheel and no operator seat,” says Bruce. “We don’t want to make equipment. We want to make equipment smarter, and it’s the guidance system that makes a tractor smart, not the mechanics.”
Bruce says the FGS frees up operators, reducing labor and risk. “Agriculture is the 7th most dangerous industry in the country, and a majority of accidents are due to operator error,” he says. “We know we will save lives.”
Initially, the company applied its guidance system to a skid steer. Their system can also be installed for use on late model tractors. The prototype being evaluated this summer is the first of a new concept the company is pursuing, truly driverless.
“We have done extensive market research to identify the need and believe the market is poised for this technology,” says Bruce.
Bruce suggests that the company has resolved the liability issues that have held back other driverless systems. He adds that the company is talking to major brands about licensing their guidance system.
“This technology needs to be in the hands of farmers,” says Bruce.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Farb Guidance Systems, 2323N. Hwy. 41, Post Falls, Idaho 83854 (ph 800 327-2375; www.farbgs.com).
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Driverless Tractor Ready To Be Introduced Farb Guidance Systems FGS is just weeks away from introducing a driverless tractor The company is assembling its prototype tractor for field testing and evaluation Once completed initial orders will begin to be filled This tractor is expected to be just the first in a series of driverless farm equipment “We are a technology company offering a guidance system for the next generation of tractor where no driver is needed ” says John Bruce vice president Farb Guidance Systems “Our system will gather information as it goes through the field We will map the field or use existing GPS maps to identify obstacles and draw a virtual fence around it and them ” Bruce explains that if the tractor crosses a fence or another obstacle shows up the tractor will stop Options for identifying moving or “new” obstacles include radar and LiDAR systems “Customers will be able to order the scanning system they prefer ” says Bruce “Once installed our guidance system sees better than a person can such as at night or on a dusty day ” While several major agricultural equipment companies have introduced restricted guidance systems for equipment such as grain carts it requires a person in the field “The difference between us and our competition is that we have parts numbers and prices and are ready to deliver to customers ” he says “We use off the shelf engines and drive systems ” Another difference is the type of tractor it will be “We’ll have no cab no steering wheel and no operator seat ” says Bruce “We don’t want to make equipment We want to make equipment smarter and it’s the guidance system that makes a tractor smart not the mechanics ” Bruce says the FGS frees up operators reducing labor and risk “Agriculture is the 7th most dangerous industry in the country and a majority of accidents are due to operator error ” he says “We know we will save lives ” Initially the company applied its guidance system to a skid steer Their system can also be installed for use on late model tractors The prototype being evaluated this summer is the first of a new concept the company is pursuing truly driverless “We have done extensive market research to identify the need and believe the market is poised for this technology ” says Bruce Bruce suggests that the company has resolved the liability issues that have held back other driverless systems He adds that the company is talking to major brands about licensing their guidance system “This technology needs to be in the hands of farmers ” says Bruce Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Farb Guidance Systems 2323N Hwy 41 Post Falls Idaho 83854 ph 800 327-2375; www farbgs com
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