John Deere, global provider in the delivery of agricultural, turf, construction and forestry equipment, unveiled a range of autonomous machines and advanced technology at CES 2025, aiming to address labor shortages and enhance efficiency across agriculture, construction and commercial landscaping. The company introduced its second-generation autonomy kit, which integrates advanced computer vision, AI, cameras and lidar sensors to enable machines to operate safely and independently in diverse environments.
The announcement follows John Deere’s initial foray into autonomy at CES 2022 and reflects its ongoing efforts to provide solutions for industries struggling with labor availability. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, there are approximately 2.4 million farm jobs in the U.S. requiring annual fulfillment. Similarly, 88% of contractors report difficulties in finding skilled workers, while 86% of landscaping business owners face challenges in filling open positions.
Jahmy Hindman, Chief Technology Officer at John Deere, highlighted the importance of automation in addressing these labor shortages.
“Our customers in agriculture, construction and landscaping have critical tasks that must be completed on time, but the workforce to handle them is often lacking. Autonomous technology allows us to tackle these challenges, ensuring these essential industries can meet their demands effectively.”
John Deere’s Autonomous Machines for Diverse Applications
The newly introduced autonomous machines span several sectors and incorporate the latest advancements in technology:
9RX Tractor for Large-Scale Agriculture
Designed for tillage, one of the busiest times for farmers, the autonomous 9RX tractor features 16 cameras configured to provide a 360-degree field view. These cameras offer enhanced depth calculation, enabling the machine to handle larger equipment and operate at higher speeds. The autonomous system allows farmers to step away and focus on other critical tasks while the tractor manages fieldwork efficiently.
5ML Orchard Tractor for Air Blast Spraying
This machine is tailored for the dense canopies found in orchards, a setting that poses unique challenges. Equipped with lidar sensors and the updated autonomy kit, the 5ML tractor simplifies the repetitive task of air blast spraying. Initially available as a diesel-powered model, a battery-electric version matching the performance of existing diesel tractors will also be introduced.
460 P-Tier Articulated Dump Truck for Quarries
The autonomous 460 P-Tier dump truck streamlines quarry operations, a complex process involving the mining, processing, and transportation of raw materials. The machine utilizes the second-generation autonomy kit to manage material transport within quarries, ensuring seamless coordination in the production cycle.
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Battery-Electric Mower for Commercial Landscaping
For the highly competitive landscaping industry, the autonomous mower offers a compact yet effective solution. Featuring two cameras on the front, left, right and rear, 360-degree coverage the mower can handle repetitive tasks independently, enabling landscaping teams to focus on other aspects of their projects.
Technology Integration and User Management
The autonomous machines can be managed through the John Deere Operations Center Mobile app, a cloud-based platform providing real-time data, live video feeds and machine metrics. Users can start machines remotely by positioning them correctly and swiping (left to right to start) within the app. The system also alerts users to potential issues, such as job quality anomalies or machine health concerns, allowing for timely intervention.
Certain machines will be autonomy-ready from the factory, while others can be upgraded with the second-generation perception system, offering flexible adoption options for customers.
John Deere is committed to addressing the challenges faced by industries crucial to food production, infrastructure, and landscaping. By integrating technologies like AI, connectivity, renewable fuels, and electrification, the company aims to provide practical solutions that support these sectors’ needs.
