AgXeed technology, optimised operations between robots and tractors

Developing highly automated software and robots. This is the mission of 3A, the new company born from the partnership between CLAAS, AgXeed and Amazone to strengthen cooperation between tractor and equipment manufacturers, particularly in the field of robotics. The shortage of skilled labour is one of the main factors driving the development of highly robotic technologies in both industry and agriculture. The aim of Gruppo 3A - reads a note issued by the three companies - is not only to make up for this shortage, but also to assign skilled workers to more conceptual tasks, especially during the busiest periods. The market-ready technology developed by Gruppo 3A includes design software that was previously only available for field robots, but can now be used in conjunction with the AgXeed box to control tractors and equipment as well. At present, agricultural robots - emphasise Gruppo 3A's designers - operate with limited applications, therefore without the possibility of being used together or in combination with other machines. It is precisely here, as the designers go on to explain, that 3A's innovative approach comes into play with AgXeed box technology, which for the first time links tractors and equipment to the field operation planning process, using the standard ISOBUS interface. Through it, machines can interact with robots and tractors. The first products developed by 3A are Amazone AutoTill for mulch cultivators and CLAAS Autonomy connect. Amazone's Autotill continuously compares the tillage process with data from the tractors, supervising the progress instead of the operator. With Autonomy connect, on the other hand, CLAAS tractors combined with equipment can perform field work with a high degree of automation. This technology allows tasks to be planned in the CLAAS Farm Management Software (FMIS) or in the AgXeed portal, where routes and prescription maps can be programmed.