Autonomous (adj): “denoting or performed by a device capable of operating without direct human control.”
The machines we use are becoming more and more independent of our control. Many people wonder if it is a good thing or not. It?s the age-old question of computer precision versus human experience. John Deere?s response to that debate is, ?why not have both??
John Deere?s auto steer and autonomous systems have been in tractors for a few years now. As that technology has grown and evolved, people have been starting to ask for the technology to be put into their Gator ATVs. Some have gone so far as to get mod kits and do it themselves. John Deere decided to go with customer sentiment and make their 2023 line of 835 and 865 Gator ATVs capable of having autonomous functionality.
We talked with John Davis of John Deere, and he told us about the demand there has been for this function.
So, why is something like autosteer going to be good for the Gator? Davis talks about how it interfaces with the same system that is in your tractor or combine.
The gator still has the human interface, so you can avoid obstacles and make changes in your route. It is very simple to accomplish. You just take a hold of the steering wheel, and the computer disengages.
Learn more by visiting deere.com or your local dealer.
You can see my ride-along in the new gator on episode 113 of Ag Matters PM.
