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

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**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.