CLAAS recently acquired a minority stake in AgXeed, the start-up they hope will help develop and commercialise autonomous agricultural machines.
On announcing the partnership, CLAAS said while agriculture across the world continues to be more productive, the number of people employed is falling, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to source workers.
“The agricultural machinery industry has come up with various solutions to address these challenges, ranging from operator assistance and machine optimisation systems to precision farming technologies, and even autonomous machines in different size and performance classes,” the company said.
“For CLAAS, collaborating with and investing in AgXeed marks a logical step towards future-proof technologies.”
Netherlands-based AgXeed offers a smart, sustainable and fully autonomous system with scalable hardware, virtual planning tools and extensive data models.
And it will now be bringing its autonomous AgBot to fields, pastures and specialty crops alongside a full suite of vehicle peripherals.
The aim is for this autonomous field robot with diesel-electric drive, wheels or crawler tracks, up to 156 hp and standard three-point linkage to assist farmers with a wide range of tasks in future.
“Our involvement provides CLAAS with access to innovative technologies in a familiar market segment and complements our own expertise in autonomy and robotics,” CLAAS chief executive Thomas Böck said.
“It's a win-win situation in our view, and one reason why we decided to invest in this start-up company, as well as the fact that the targeted AgXeed technologies are in an advanced state of development.
“This solution offers farmers and contractors concrete economic added value, and what’s more, it will soon be available.”
AgBot, together with the associated software solutions and platforms, is expected to be launched in 2022.
AgBot includes central, web-based planning and analysis tool to boost efficiency through automated, optimised route planning and machine settings.
Optional crawler tracks with belt widths from 300 to 910 mm, combined with a low maximum weight of 6.0 tonnes (without ballast) are designed to make the machine soil-friendly.
The vehicle also features an adjustable track width, load-sensing hydraulics and a linkage with a lift capacity of up to 8.0 tonnes.
An electric PTO, independent of the engine speed, and external high-voltage connections are optionally available.
The electric equipment includes all the technology required for hazard and obstacle detection, in addition to an RTK steering system.
AgBots will be launched in various sizes and performance classes with further solutions in development.
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