Importance of GPS is growing
GPS makes dealership change
In 15 years we have become quite used to and spoiled by the arrival of RTK GPS. No other country in the world has embraced the innovation that has changed the lives of many drivers at such a rapid pace. Yet RTK GPS is only at the beginning of its capabilities.
A large part of the GPS systems are now retrofitted by specialist companies. This is especially the case in northwestern Europe, although a shift is underway. Tractor manufacturers, and in particular full liners, are embracing the technology and integrating the systems into their product portfolio. They have also noticed that customers with a tractor with 120 hp have just as much need for GPS as the large entrepreneurs.
we want more
Production as well as sales and service are changing as a result of this shift. The manufacturers take GPS techniques into account and can build in technology ex-factory. The mechanization companies commit themselves with the sale of GPS to also be able to provide service. In addition, the demand for specialisms is growing. Driving the trick straight is nice to look at in the spring and autumn, but we want more.
"Customers don't just buy GPS for straight driving. They are looking at the possibilities of Variable Rate Application (VRA), or site-specific administration," says Michiel Jochims. He is responsible for the European RTK network from CNH Industrial (CHNi). The parent company behind Case IH, New Holland and Steyr. "Working with implement control, which requires a double antenna, is still specialist work. That will also change in the future."
Electronics take over
Jochims believes that precision farming technology will play a key role in tractors. Quite special for someone who works for a company that sells steel on 4 wheels. "Electronics take over. Only in this way can the functionality be re-examined. As a full liner you have an extra advantage, because everything is carried out in-house and you pursue 1 vision."
According to Jochims, this has consequences for dealer companies: "The mechanization company is changing into a service-oriented organization in the field of precision agriculture. The dealer will become involved in the conversation between farmer and consultancy in the field of site-specific applications with data management as input. the dealer will change in the coming years to meet customer demand. That sounds harsh, but it is the truth. It makes different demands on yourself and your employees. As a full liner you are active in all areas, but not the specialties that we demand in the Netherlands. Think of potato and onion cultivation. The future will show how this will develop in the GPS field and how dealers deal with this."
The CNHi man has a background in the automotive industry. From here come new impulses for RTK GPS technology. "The car industry is now waking up. Self-driving cars require a covering RTK network. Perhaps the agricultural sector is sitting on a gold mine. In addition to sensors, on and around the vehicle, an autonomous car or tractor has 1 receiver for control and 1 receiver as a backup. The RTK signal is very suitable for this."
5G
signal
Correction signal
Most providers now broadcast the correction signal via the 4G network. In the past, speech always took precedence over data, but those days are over. 5G is the next step, although the question is how groundbreaking it will be for agriculture. A correction signal can also be sent via 2G or 3G. CNHi expects it to work with 2G in about 5 years. However, this is only possible in urban areas. There are currently no indications that 5G is being offered here. The European satellite network Galileo will be available from the first quarter of 2018.
Another possibility for transmitting a correction signal is the satellite. Trimble and John Deere are already using it. "Corrects via satellite offer many advantages, but in the future we will send even more data and information via the internet to the agricultural machine," says Jochims. "The modem and SIM card will eventually become a permanent part of the machine. We may therefore continue to use this medium for RTK corrections in the future."
Niels van der Boom
© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.