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型初创企业，都非常关注提供自动驾驶拖拉机（到2030年全球市场价值92亿英镑），以解决英国、美国和欧洲大陆等发达国家长期面临的农业劳动力短缺问题，以及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的代码，没有解决方案进入市场，并且由于大量的开发成本，对于许多农民来说，当他们进入市场时，可能会成本过高。这项为期18个月的工业研究项目的重点是Cavonix，一家专门从事联网自动驾驶汽车的英国中小企业，为拖拉机开发一种价格合理、符合iso26262标准的自动驾驶（自动驾驶/功能）软件平台。采用全面的自下而上、完整的系统方法，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、融合处理器和X-by-Wire控制设计。Cavonix将得到该领域的先驱哈珀亚当斯大学的支持，他们的免提公顷（HFHa）项目将用于TRL6原型平台的实际技术可行性评估。

**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.