Self-Driving Tractors: John Deere Expands Autonomous Machinery Line

Jan 30, 2025

Citing a lack of skilled labor across the agricultural, construction and commercial landscaping sectors, John Deere recently unveiled four new autonomous machines for 2025.

On the agriculture front, an autonomous 9RX tractor will be targeted for larger operations. The tractor will feature a second-generation autonomy kit, 16 cameras to enable a 360-degree view of the field, and the ability to calculate tillage depth more accurately at larger distances.

Also, a new autonomous 5ML orchard tractor for air blast spraying is now available. Offered with a diesel engine, the tractor comes with Lidar sensors to address the dense canopies found in orchards. According to John Deere, an battery electric version of the 5ML will be on the market in the future.

For the construction sector, John Deere introduced the 460 P-Tier autonomous articulated dump truck, mainly for quarry operations.

Also, a battery electric mower for commercial landscaping has been released. The mower comes equipped with several cameras for a 360-degree view, allowing workers to focus on other aspects of the job.

Select machines will be autonomy ready from the factory and the second-generation perception system will be available as a retrofit kit for certain existing machines, providing customers with multiple paths to adoption.

Click here to see more...

Video: Home Grown Ontario Tulips

Ontario’s flower sector is blooming ??

With more than $1 billion in farmgate sales and over $650 million in annual exports—much of it centred in the Niagara region—Ontario growers are a major force in Canada’s floriculture industry. In fact, the province produces roughly 50% of all flowers grown in the country, serving a market of over 100 million consumers within a one-day drive.

It’s a powerful example of how strategic location, cross-border access, and strong production capacity come together to support both local agriculture and global markets ??

?? Watch as Andrew Morse, Executive Director of Flowers Canada, shares insights and the full story behind Ontario’s tulip industry and its thriving flower sector.