AUTOTRACT - Development of interoperable, low-cost, 'self-driving' software platform for tractor manufacturers

**AUTOTRACT -为拖拉机制造商开发可互操作、低成本的“自动驾驶”软件平台 ** 从成熟的全球农业机械原始设备制造商到创新的初创企业，都非常关注自动驾驶拖拉机的交付（到2030年全球市场将达到92亿英镑），以解决英国、美国和欧洲大陆等发达国家长期存在的农业劳动力短缺问题，除了国家和国际层面的粮食安全挑战。然而，由于技术挑战，包括传感器限制，硬件互操作性，人工智能复杂性和低效代码，没有解决方案已经进入市场，并且由于大量的开发成本，许多农民可能会在成本上望而却步。这个为期18个月的工业研究项目专注于Cavonix，一家专注于互联自动驾驶汽车的英国中小企业，为拖拉机开发了一个经济实惠、符合ISO 26262标准的自动（自动驾驶/功能）软件平台。采用全面的自下而上的全系统方法，该解决方案将由专有组件组成，包括我们的CavLAB编程代码、基于对象的算法、Fusion处理器和X-by-Wire控制设计。Cavonix将得到哈珀亚当斯大学的支持，该大学是该领域的先驱，和他们的免提Heclit（HFHa）项目将用于TRL 6原型平台的真实技术可行性评估。

**AUTOTRACT - Development of interoperable, low-cost, 'self-driving' software platform for tractor manufacturers**From established global farm machinery OEMs to innovative start-ups, there is a heavy focus on delivering autonomous tractors (£9.2bn global market by 2030) to address the chronic agricultural labour shortages being experienced in developed countries such as the UK, United States, and those in mainland Europe, alongside food security challenges at national and international levels.However, due to technical challenges, including sensor limitations, hardware interoperability, AI sophistication, and inefficient code, no solutions have reached the market and, due to substantial development costs, are likely to be cost prohibitive for many farmers, when they do.This 18-month industrial research project is focused on Cavonix, a UK SME who specialises in connected autonomous vehicles, developing an affordable, ISO26262-compliant, autonomous (self-driving/functioning) software platform for tractors. Using a comprehensive bottom-up, full systems approach, the solution will be comprised of proprietary components including our CavLAB programming code, object-based algorithms, Fusion Processor, and X-by-Wire control design.Cavonix will be supported by Harper Adams University, who are pioneers in this field, and their Hands-Free Hectare (HFHa) project will be leveraged for a real-world technical feasibility assessment of the TRL6 prototyped platform.