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AGCO and Topcon are working together to develop technology for robotic vehicles. An example of the technology, a LiDar device, was shown at the 2011 Ag Connect Expo. Rhett Schildroth, Topcon, explains how Lidar creates a three-dimensional image surrounding a vehicle and will help a vehicle stop when an obstacle is encountered.
It sounds like the beginning of a new era to me. I am not sure this is what we need though. There are plenty people that can operate vehicles, why would we need robotic vehicles? I couldn't imagine how will a robotic vehicle be able to handle trailer hitches...
I don't think robotic vehicles are an immediate necessity in our agriculture. I do believe however that investments are important in other areas, in technologies that are supposed to improve vehicle efficiency, durability, fuel consume and the list can go on. I recently replaced a electric radiator fan to my power vehicle, I could have used a hand there, I am sure a lot of farmers have similar problems with maintaining their vehicles.
