Agricultural robotics can upend several commonly-held notions. Amongst them is the idea that big is better. In practice this has translated into ever larger and more powerful agricultural machinery. This makes sense because a big machine amplifies the capabilities of the skilled driver, dramatically boosting its productivity. This notion may however be about to experience a fundamental change. The reason is that the driver can now finally be taken totally out of the equation. 

Unveiled on 30th August at the Farm Progress Show in the United States, the New Holland NHDrive concept autonomous tractor is a driverless machine which can perform a wide range of farming tasks day and night.

As our staff prepares for the 2016 Farm Progress Show, I’m always particularly interested in seeing what precision innovations companies unveil. It’s worth following the evolution of new technologies, some of which succeed as mainstream systems, while others are perhaps ahead of their time. One concept which falls in the latter category is autonomous equipment.

At the top this month was a guest blog from attorney Todd Janzen on five things every Silicon Valley startup should know about Midwestern farmers. Janzen also wrote another piece that made the list about autonomous tractors.

Although Google’s autonomous car got a lot of press, the auto-guidance system on tractors, combines, sprayers and other farm equipment has been around for years.

According to a new report by Tractica, agricultural automation — in the form of driverless machinery, drone crop dusters, automated milking systems and other technologies — offers "the most important and attractive" global market opportunity for robotics industry players.

Tom Rosier, sales director for Conver, unveils the new Greenbot autonomous tractor being introduced to the European market. Conver is looking into the possibility of bringing the 100HP tractor to the North American market.

The developer of a so-called “autonomous tractor” said people all over the world are coming to see it. But he said the concept is changing.

The world of agriculture has never experienced such rapid innovation in technology, new products, equipment and research than any other time in history. Here's a look at some of those advancements.