In-Cab Systems Taking ‘Baby Step’ Towards More AI
June 8, 2023 
Big equipment makers are scrambling to launch new in-cab systems utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), and the rest of the industry is quickly following suit. Photo courtesy of Trimble.
In-cab systems for sprayers have come a long way during the past few years. And, if experts are correct, the agricultural industry hasn’t seen anything yet.
First off, says Wade Stewart, Product Manager for Displays, Guidance Actuators, and ECUs at Trimble, there has been a desire for in-cab systems to be more specialized than in the past. “When we look back from the operator standpoint, farmers historically wanted one display to do everything,” says Stewart. “In fact, this is how ISOBUS came to be. Now, operators want dedicated displays offering views that are always right in front of them. With these new displays, we’ve given them the opportunity to operate the displays as either the auxiliary or primary display.”
With this in mind, Trimble has introduced the GFX-1060 and GFX-1260 displays. Featuring an Android-based operating system and enhanced processing power for controlling and executing in-field work, the units enable users to complete in-field operations while also mapping and monitoring field information in real-time, says Steward.
The Push to AI
In addition to more specialization for in-cab systems, other market watchers foresee major changes from the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI). Indeed, according to Agtools Inc., AI in agriculture is expected to morph into a $10.2 billion business by 2032 (up from $1.2 billion today). However, according to Mike Gomes, Vice President of Business Development for Agriculture at Topcon, the adoption will still take some time yet.
“Completely replacing a human is pretty hard to do — today,” said Gomes in an interview with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. “[But] smart, connected devices with some amount of machine learning can become as smart as a dog today.”
Over the past year or so, numerous agricultural equipment manufacturers have begun experimenting with what could be described as AI systems. For example, John Deere has introduced its See & Spray Ultimate system on 2023 models of its 410R, 412R, and 612R self-propelled sprayers. Using weed identification technology from its acquisition of Blue River Technology, See & Spray Ultimate uses a system of boom-arm installed cameras to monitor fields and spot apply herbicides to only where weeds are present.
“While operating at up to 12 mph, See & Spray Ultimate’s targeted spray technology can help farmers reduce their non-residual herbicide use by more than two thirds and maintain a hit rate comparable with traditional spraying,” said Franklin Peitz, Marketing Manager for John Deere at the time of the system’s release. “For farmers, this decreased herbicide use can significantly lower herbicide costs, reduce tendering stops, and helps them cover more acres per day.”
Since then, other equipment manufacturers have also introduced their own versions of these in-cab systems. For instance, Case IH and Raven Industries owner CNH Industrial announced in March it was acquiring Augmenta, the maker of a machine vision product called Sense & Act. This system uses a real-time sensors and AI capabilities to process field conditions and automatically apply the optimal amount of such products as nitrogen, plant growth regulators, and fungicide applications.
In April, AGCO Corp. formally teamed up with Bosch BASF Smart Farming to introduce the One Smart Spray system into AGCO equipment starting in 2024. According to Matt Leininger, a representative at Bosch BASF Smart Farming, North America, One Smart Spray will offer end-users data through AGCO’s on-board/off-board controls as well as the company’s xarvio Digital Farming Solutions platform.
“With a 24/7 application capability, we create exceptional green-on-green and green-on-brown performance,” says Leininger. “This type of precision agronomics offering is a breakthrough to support farmers with less impact and higher yields.”
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