Autonomy, Publications

Bringing Blue Sky Thinking Down to Earth

2021 | March 01

Driverless Ag Technology from Raven Autonomy

Raven is synonymous with precision agriculture and farm-forward thinking. Now, Raven Autonomy is redefining the future of farming by offering autonomous technology for ag operations with options from partial to total farm machine autonomation.

Raven Autonomy is changing the ag technology landscape with pioneering Driverless Ag Technology that is safer, more efficient, and ultimately helps ag professionals run their operation with less human involvement.

Raven’s suite of autonomous solutions lets growers automate, connect, control, and optimize their farm. Raven’s Autonomous Ecosystem of products see, think, and perform work that previously required an operator, resulting in efficiency gains across the entire operation, freeing up valuable resources.

The Autonomy Ecosystem

The Raven Autonomy Ecosystem is about strengthening the connection between the farmer and the farm. It puts the farmer on the path to greater precision, efficiency, and consistency – so existing resources can be reallocated where they are needed most. In the end, these six steps allow growers to realize a better connected, coordinated, and fully optimized farm.

Raven Autonomy Connected Ecosystem

Autonomous solutions require seamless circular workflow, including:

  1. Data Management & Connectivity
  2. Boundary Creation & Field Path Planning
  3. Coverage Sharing
  4. Perception Detection & Avoidance
  5. All-Season Machine and Application Control
  6. Raven Autonomy Executive Controller System

The Path to Autonomy (You May Already Be On It!)

The path to autonomous ag technology solutions starts with Raven Precision Farming Technology products that reduce driver fatigue and graduates up to full Driverless Ag Technology automation. So no matter where you are on the path today, Raven Autonomy can help you Boldly Grow into the future.

Level 3 AutoCart®: Available Now!

AutoCart allows an operator to control a driverless tractor and grain cart directly from the cab of a harvester. Farmers can set a field plan, stage locations, adjust speeds, monitor location activity, and command the tractor pulling a grain cart to sync with the harvester as it offloads on the go. AutoCart will then return the tractor to a predetermined unloading area. All without a second driver.

“Raven Autonomy has made great strides in our dedication to autonomous technology,” said Sarah Waltner, General Manager of Raven Applied Technology. “Raven currently has two autonomous solutions being used in operations today, offering driverless spraying, seeding, spreading, and grain cart functionalities.”

AutoCart is already proven to:

  • Provide 340+ hours of labor relocation
  • Eliminate product loss during transfer
  • Reduce soil compaction in the field

How AutoCart Works

AutoCart allows you to control the tractor via an intuitive, tablet-based user interface, compatible with iPad®, Android™, and Windows®. Using the AutoCart portal, the farmer creates boundaries for the system including offload at defined staging and unloading areas, and re-sync to deploy the next mission.

The AutoCart system includes software, hardware, and a communication device for your harvester and tractor. While it is currently only compatible with John Deere 8RX wheeled tractors, kits for additional brands and types of tractors will be available soon. The kit includes the camera, radar, and other technology that allows a full range of view around the tractor and cart. This perception system can see and react to both stationary and moving objects, such as a person or animal walking in its path.

The AutoCart technology will also service multiple crops. It has already been tested and proven on a range of different vegetable harvesters, including carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Raven is evaluating the use of the AutoCart technology for 80 different crop types and is developing several different applications for other farm equipment.

AutoCart will be operating for the 2021 harvest season.

Visit www.RavenPrecision.com/Autonomy to start on your autonomous path.

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