Self-driving tractors: Next big thing in agriculture

If the change from manual or animal assisted agricultural operations to tractors, was a revolution, another huge change is in the offing. Farmers will soon be able to till the soil, sow seeds and harvest crops, using a driver-less tractor.

Indian companies are among the world's early movers in developing a driverless tractor. The Mahindra group unveiled its version last year. The farmer can sit in the shade, and control the tractor and its tilling pattern, from a tablet computer. He can also set a geo-fence using GPS so that the tractor does not stray into an adjoining field. And if an obstacle like a cow comes in the path, it is intelligent enough to avoid it! Another Indian company staking its space is Escorts, with its autonomous tractor.