Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on Monday demonstrated a new satellite-guided tractor steering system aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of field operations. The system was showcased during a live demonstration attended by faculty members, agricultural scientists, and media personnel.
GNSS-Based Tractor: Steering to Reduce Overlap and Error
The tractor system uses the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to steer along predefined paths without manual input. GNSS combines data from multiple satellite constellations—including GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), and Galileo (EU)—to provide high-accuracy location data.
The system includes a GNSS receiver, a wheel angle sensor, a motorized steering unit, and a touchscreen control console. Once a route is set, the tractor automatically follows it, maintaining a pass-to-pass accuracy of approximately ±3 centimetres. Manual override is available via a single-button switch.
Field trials conducted by PAU showed that overlaps during field operations, such as tilling and seeding, were reduced from 3–12 percent under manual steering to around 1 percent with the satellite-guided system. Missed areas also declined from a range of 2–7 percent to less than 1 percent.
Technology Aimed at Reducing Input Waste
Vice-Chancellor Dr. Satbir Singh Gosal said the steering system is part of a broader effort to promote digital agriculture.
“This is not innovation for the sake of innovation,” said Dr. Gosal. “It’s a necessary shift to make farming more profitable, efficient, and farmer-friendly. Digital tools like auto-steering not only enhance productivity but also reduce the physical burden on farmers.”
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Director of Research Dr. Ajmer Singh Dhatt said the university is realigning its research priorities to support scalable and field-deployable technologies. He said that navigation tools, remote sensing, and automation are becoming necessary due to rising input costs and decreasing availability of natural resources.
Related Projects in Mechanisation and Irrigation
PAU also shared updates on other mechanisation technologies. Dr. Manjeet Singh, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, spoke about a remote-controlled two-wheel paddy transplanter developed by the university. The device allows farmers to operate transplanting equipment from shaded areas, thereby reducing heat exposure and operator fatigue.
According to trial data presented by PAU, the remote-controlled transplanter resulted in a 12 percent increase in field capacity, an 85 percent reduction in fatigue, and a 40 percent decrease in labour requirements.
Separately, the university’s Centre for Water Technology and Management is working on IoT-based irrigation systems. These systems use sensors to monitor soil moisture, water levels, and weather data in real time. The irrigation schedule is adjusted automatically based on field conditions. Trials conducted in Sangrur district have reported improvements in water-use efficiency, along with reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption.
National-Level Recognition
Registrar Dr. Rishi Pal Singh (IAS) referred to a recent demonstration in Patiala, during which Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan remotely operated PAU’s sensor-based paddy transplanter. Dr. Singh said the demonstration highlighted the relevance of the university’s research in practical farm applications.
At the end of the event, university officers answered questions from media representatives regarding the commercial rollout of the steering system, potential subsidies, and integration with existing tractor models. PAU officials said development work would continue, with a focus on affordability, usability, and training support.
The demonstration is part of PAU’s ongoing work to integrate digital tools and automation into mainstream agricultural practices. University officials said further updates on trials and deployment timelines would be shared in the coming months.
Global Context: Similar Developments in Other Regions
Similar satellite-guided steering systems are being used in several countries where precision agriculture is expanding. In the United States, systems such as John Deere’s AutoTrac and Trimble’s Autopilot enable farmers to operate tractors with sub-inch accuracy, helping reduce input costs and improve yields. In Europe, manufacturers like CLAAS and CNH Industrial have also integrated GNSS-based steering into mainstream tractor models. Countries like Brazil and Australia are using these technologies for large-scale operations, particularly in row-crop farming, where efficient field coverage is critical. While such systems have seen commercial-scale deployment in developed markets, institutions like PAU are working to adapt and localize them for small and medium farms in India.