Bluewhite tractor kits focus on specialty crops
23 October 2024
Bluewhite is working with New Holland to outfit the latter company’s T4 fruit and vineyard tractors for work in orchards, vineyards and other permanent crop operations. The tractors can operate in row widths from 3.5 ft. (Photo: New Holland)
Bluewhite was part of New Holland’s stand during the recent Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, because the firm has partnered with CNH to integrate its autonomous technology into New Holland tractors.
Bluewhite’s AI-driven technology leverages sensors, cameras and machine integration, as shown on this tractor at the Farm Progress Show. (Photo: Chad Elmore)
Formerly Blue White Robotics, Bluewhite started in 2017 to bring autonomous technology to permanent crop growers (think orchards and vineyards). Its solution integrates with existing tractors to give data-driven insights and leverages AI, sensors, lidar, cameras, and GNSS to enable navigation without GPS/RTK or cellular.
Remote operators can monitor each machine on a mobile device, giving the ability to operate several tractors at once. If the tractor identifies an obstacle, the operator can open a camera and identify the situation. The tractor can also be operated in a conventional manner.
The partnership includes a three-phase, multi-year initiative for the development and integration of Bluewhite technology across the New Holland portfolio. Select New Holland dealers in the western U.S. can now sell and service Bluewhites’ aftermarket kits. The companies are also exploring factory-installed solutions.
“After a long, romantic exploration of what we love and what we like, we’re starting with the aftermarket to bring it to the market to meet the needs of growers quickly,” said Ben Alfi, CEO, Bluewhite. “And iwe’re starting to think how to integrate it in future vehicles.”
Roadmap to the Future
While the collaboration is currently focused on specialty crops, Bluewhite sees the work as a roadmap for the future.
“We all understand that this industry will also impact other industries such as row crops, construction, mining and all other areas,” said Alfi. “We’re focused on delivering autonomy in agriculture, where the need for the technology is very high and it offers great value. In a few years it will reach all other industries.”
Named after the colors of the Israeli flag, Tel Aviv-based Bluewhite said its technology can reduce costs by up to 85% through savings in inputs, labor and maintenance.
The company has its U.S. base of operations in California with locations in Fresno and Reedley, where hardware kits are assembled and shipped to dealers. In less than a day, the company said technicians can transform a conventional tractor into an autonomous machine.
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