🚜🤖 Watch as a tractor drives itself! Cutting-edge autonomous tech was on full display at the #AgSmart Expo in #Olds, #Alberta. Want to know how this game-changing innovation could shape the future of farming? 🌾👇
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Crowd Watches Tractor Drive Itself in Olds
Autonomous technology is transforming industries across the globe, and agriculture is no exception. At AgSmart, the annual innovation expo hosted by the Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, attendees were treated to a groundbreaking demonstration of a self-driving tractor, courtesy of Mojow Autonomous Solutions Inc. This marked a major milestone in the adoption of autonomous machinery in farming, as the technology inches closer to widespread use.
Mojow Autonomous Solutions is led by Owen Kinch, a pioneer in the field of autonomous farm equipment. As he and his team demonstrated, their Eyebox system, a blend of hardware and software, enables tractors to be controlled entirely by a phone app. Watching a tractor move with precision across a field, guided by a series of algorithms and real-time data, was a glimpse into the future of farming.
The Evolution of Autonomous Farming
The concept of autonomous tractors might sound like something from a distant future, but as Owen Kinch revealed, the seeds of this idea were planted as far back as 2015. Kinch’s journey into autonomous agriculture started when he became the first employee of Dot Technology Corp. His personal farm in Saskatchewan served as a testing ground for various autonomous applications, ranging from seeding to harvest. The overarching goal? To be the first fully autonomous farm in North America.
As Kinch recounts, these early experiments and breakthroughs eventually led to Dot’s acquisition by Raven Agriculture in 2019, and later by Case New Holland Industrial. However, the question that persisted was, “Why not bring autonomy to traditional tractors?” The result of this question is what we now see in Mojow’s Eyebox technology, a powerful system that can transform a regular tractor into a high-tech, autonomous machine.
The Core of the Technology: Mapping First, Autonomy Second
One of the key differentiators for Mojow Autonomous Solutions is their focus on mapping as the foundation for autonomy. Unlike other autonomous systems that prioritize robotization first, Mojow uses multiple cameras and lidar sensors mounted on the tractor to create a detailed, digital representation of the farming environment. By analyzing images and environmental data in real time, the tractor can detect field boundaries, obstacles like rocks, sloughs, and even wet spots.
Kinch described the technology as an extension of human perception, allowing the machine to “see” what a human operator would typically need to observe while working the fields. The system processes up to 30 frames per second, providing a constant stream of data that informs the tractor’s movements, ensuring that it operates efficiently and safely.
This high level of precision is more than just a marvel of modern engineering—it represents a significant boost in productivity for farmers. Fields can be worked more quickly, with fewer mistakes, and less downtime. Additionally, the technology ensures that tractors don’t have to operate entirely autonomously; a human operator can still control the machine when needed, preserving the versatility of traditional farming equipment while introducing the benefits of automation.
Practical Applications and Future Prospects
Mojow’s technology is currently undergoing rigorous testing on several farms. The fact that the autonomous kit can work on various terrains, including hilly and wet landscapes, speaks to its potential adaptability. During the demonstration, Kinch showcased its safety features by stepping in front of the moving tractor, which promptly stopped in its tracks, proving its ability to detect and respond to obstacles in real time.
While the price point for the Eyebox kit is still undetermined, Kinch projects that the system will be ready for market by 2025. At the demo, the kit was installed on a Versatile tractor—a brand Mojow has a partnership with—but Kinch envisions it being compatible with other tractor brands in the future. The modular nature of the kit could allow farmers to retrofit their existing equipment, making autonomous farming