Innovative Positioning and Sensing Solutions for Agriculture

Hexagon’s Autonomy and Positioning division has unveiled a cutting-edge series of positioning and sensing kits tailored for agricultural use,a result of collaboration between it’s NovAtel and AutonomouStuff brands. Thes kits are integral to Hexagon’s smart Autonomous Mobility solutions and are specifically designed for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the agricultural and robotics sectors.

Advanced Validation through Autonomous Technology

The newly introduced kits underwent rigorous testing using a custom-built autonomous tractor, equipped with state-of-the-art features such as object detection and classification, simultaneous localization and mapping, and precise positioning via GNSS technology. This tractor is engineered with critical safety features that enhance situational and environmental awareness, allowing for autonomous operation while also offering remote control capabilities when necessary.

Optimized for Agricultural Robotics

These positioning and sensing kits are specifically optimized for autonomous agricultural applications. They include advanced components like the SMART7 antenna and the NovAtel OEM7 driver, which is powered by the Robot Operating System (ROS) to facilitate autonomous robotic functions. additionally, the kits incorporate TerraStar GNSS Correction Services, ALIGN heading and relative positioning firmware, and SPAN GNSS+INS technology. Beyond agricultural robotics, these kits are versatile enough to support various off-road autonomy projects.

Expert Insights on agricultural Challenges

Michael Martinez, the agriculture segment manager at Hexagon | novatel, stated, “Our positioning and sensing kits equip developers with reliable technology that enhances autonomy in agricultural settings. Manufacturers of robotic machinery may not fully grasp the specific challenges posed by agricultural applications, while those well-versed in agriculture might lack the necessary expertise to integrate positioning and sensing technologies into autonomous systems. Our kits bridge this gap,as evidenced by our autonomous tractor.”

Enhancing Environmental Awareness in Agriculture

John Buszek, VP of products and services at Hexagon | AutonomouStuff, expressed enthusiasm about utilizing the tractor as a platform to validate human identification, obstacle detection, and improved environmental awareness provided by their sensing kits. “The technologies we’ve integrated into this presentation platform highlight our Smart autonomous Mobility portfolio, which is designed to facilitate and expedite the transition from prototyping to production in agricultural autonomy applications,” he added.