For the first time, John Deere has introduced its autonomous technology into the realm of construction equipment.
During the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Deere showcased the 460 P-Tier autonomous articulated dump truck (ADT), affectionately named “Dusty” by its creators.
The ADT is one of four new machines presented by Deere at CES, designed to meet the needs of its customers in construction, agriculture, and landscaping.
“We are accelerating the development of our autonomy solutions. Our nearly three-decade tech stack is being integrated into more machines, allowing them to operate autonomously in complex and unique environments,” reported Jahmy Hindman, Chief Technology Officer at John Deere.
460 P-Tier Autonomous ADT
The 460 P-Tier autonomous ADT is designed for quarry operations and incorporates Deere’s second-generation autonomy kit.
This new autonomy kit builds on the technology first showcased by Deere at CES 2022, integrating advanced AI, computer vision, and cameras to effectively navigate various environments.
The autonomous ADT will perform repetitive tasks like transporting materials within quarries, streamlining different processes within operations.
“This machine utilizes the same autonomy system as its farming counterparts,” noted Maya Sripadam, Senior Product Manager for Blue River Technology, a subdivision of John Deere.
John Deere Operations Center
The machines are operated through the John Deere Operations Center mobile app, a cloud platform. Starting the machine simply requires swiping left to right once it is positioned correctly.
This app provides users with access to live video feeds, images, data, metrics, and the ability to modify factors such as speed. Users will be alerted remotely about any anomalies in job quality or machine health, allowing for timely interventions.
“Through the John Deere Operations Center App, customers can interact and monitor the machine’s activities,” Hindman explained. “They can observe the ongoing work without needing to manage who is executing it.”
Autonomous Mower
Along with the ADT, Deere has also introduced the autonomous 9RX tractor for extensive agriculture, the autonomous 5ML orchard tractor for air-blast spraying, and an autonomous battery electric mower for commercial landscaping.
The commercial mower employs the same camera technology found in other Deere autonomous equipment but is scaled down for its smaller size. With cameras positioned around the machine to provide 360-degree visibility, staff can dedicate their attention to other job aspects.
Some machines will be equipped with autonomy capabilities straight from the factory, while others will have the option to retrofit the second-generation perception system, offering various avenues for adopting autonomous operations.
Hindman emphasized that expanding Deere’s autonomous equipment portfolio will aid customers in tackling the labor shortages that are currently affecting production capabilities. “Autonomy can help address this challenge, which is why we are enhancing our technology stack to enable more machines to operate safely in complex environments,” he concluded. “This expansion will benefit not only our customers but also everyone reliant on them for essential services like food and landscape care.”
