Deere receive CES award in robotics for X-Series Combines

For a second consecutive year, John Deere has received a CES Innovation Award with its X Series combine harvesters receiving an award in robotics. In the Consumer Electronics Show’s annual Innovation Awards, the robotics category highlights programmable or otherwise intelligent machines capable of performing specific tasks or replicating human movement or interactions.

X Series combines, which include the X9 1000 and X9 1100, are equipped with ActiveVision camera technology to help farmers see inside the grain tank and observe tailings so they can actively monitor the condition of harvester grain.

The technology uses proprietary algorithms to provide farmers with information critical for making decisions in the moment as well gathering data over time for long-term planning. As part of the judging process, products are reviewed by a panel of judges comprised of designers, engineers and technology media who evaluate among other things, the product’s engineering and functionality, aesthetics and design.

John Deere chief technology officer Jahmy Hindman said John Deere were honoured to receive the award. “The award recognises our efforts to build cutting-edge smart machines, systems and solutions that unlock customer economic value through enhanced precision, automation, speed and efficiency previously not possible,” Hindman said.

The new X Series combines are anticipated to join the field-proven S Series in Deere’s Australian harvester lineup and be available for order from late 2021, promising to help large-scale farmers thresh, separate and clean more tonnes per hour or harvest more hectares per day, without risking grain loss or quality. Their increased harvesting productivity is driven by artificial intelligence, computer vision, in-field machine-to-machine communication, integrated sensors and self-driving capabilities.

“Technology and innovation are at the core of how John Deere helps farmers overcome uncertainty and improve efficiency,” Hindman said. “To make our customers the most profitable and sustainable farmers in the world, John Deere challenges the status quo to deliver smart, highly autonomous and connected machines, like our X Series combines that unlock opportunities for them to make more informed and accurate decisions at scale, which in turn supports the greater goal of feeding a growing world population.”