New Holland, a recognized leader in both specialty crops and alternative energy
solutions, is previewing an advanced concept at Agritechnica. The new R4 robot series
is designed to help vineyard, orchard and specialty crop growers overcome sector
challenges, including labour shortages and demands for more environmentally-friendly
food production.
“High-value crops have huge market potential, but growers face production challenges
including skilled labour shortages for highly repetitive work during seasonal peaks,” says
Thierry Le Briquer, Grape, Olive & Coffee Global Manager at New Holland.
“R4 robots have been developed to automate such jobs, boosting both efficiency and
sustainability with a zero-emission solution.”
Engineers from the CNH R&D Centre in Modena, Italy, and the New Holland Centre
of Excellence for Specialty Harvesting in Coëx, France, together with colleagues
from around the world, set out to refocus skilled human input where it matters: in value
added tasks. The resulting R4 robots execute repetitive, lower value tasks where
accurate and safe work does not depend on human presence – jobs such as inter-row
mowing or tillage. The two autonomous robots also address the most time-consuming
tasks in vineyards and orchards – spraying, for example. Managed via an app, R4
machines are controlled via a combination of GPS, LIDAR and vision cameras.
“R4 is an all-new concept — there is no cab,” continues Le Briquer. “It has been designed
fresh from the ground up, yet it is built entirely on our in-house foundation and using
our expertise in electronics, powertrains, precision tech, and more. It’s the newest
member of our product family, joining our lineup alongside tractors, grape harvesters,
and other machines."
“What makes it even more powerful is that it leverages the same autonomous tech stack
and components we’ve developed for our cash crop and row crop platforms, showing the
scalability and flexibility of our solutions. It fits right into our full product offering, sharing
systems such as FieldOps and the same autonomy platform used across both cash crop
and specialty machines. This makes it highly flexible, easy to upgrade, and wellsupported
for the future.”
Two R4 Versions
New Holland has developed two versions of the R4 autonomous machine concept, each
tailored to meet the specific needs of different specialist crop sectors. Both feature
suspended rubber-track drive units to maximize traction and minimize compaction,
and incorporate an intelligent, continuously-variable electric drivetrain. They can power
implements electrically without hydraulic oil, reducing maintenance requirements,
components, weight, emissions, cost and compaction. Both machines are compatible
with existing implements.
Targeted primarily at high-end narrow vineyards, R4 Electric Power is electricallypowered
via a 40kWh battery pack.
With a 1.38m maximum height and overall width of just 0.7m, the R4 Electric Power can
work in 1.0-1.5m crop spacings and weighs just one tonne. A custom-designed, ultracompact
hitch has a 500kg lift capacity, and the machine can also power electricallydriven
implements.
The bigger full-hybrid model, R4 Hybrid Power, is designed for orchards and fruit
producers and offers more power and extended autonomy, with a power-to-weight ratio
double that of a conventional specialty tractor with similar output. Weighing 1,400kg
and measuring 1.2m wide, the machine is optimized for row spacings of 1.5m and above.
Its double-pass capability ensures complete coverage, allowing it to operate efficiently
in large orchards without misses.
Power is provided by a 59hp/44kW diesel engine which can run on vegetable oil-based
fuels to cut emissions. This drives an electric generator pack for transmission and
implement power. When suitable, R4 Hybrid Power can run in fully-electric mode,
with the two 4kWh batteries powering the machine for zero-emission and quiet
operation. The electrically-powered Cat I/II hitch is maintenance-free. A mechanical
540rpm PTO with intelligent progressive clutching works with standard implements - and
a 48V/12kW e-PTO socket can power future electrically-driven machines.
Implement Functions
Intelligent electrical implement management functions were conceived to ensure
operator safety and further minimize the environmental impact of both R4 machines.
For example, intelligent spraying technology can automate flow rate control and both
headland management and canopy gap on/off switching. It also automates spraying by
canopy height. Additionally, work is continuing to develop a system to enable spot
spraying according to disease detection.
“Our goal was to create fully autonomous machines requiring only remote supervision,”
says Le Briquer. “R4 is a sustainable, intelligent, and adaptable robotic solution that
offers exceptional value and a lower total cost of ownership compared to current
alternatives. Built with proven components from within our ecosystem, R4 Electric and
Hybrid Power gives farmers a reliable, future-ready advantage as they look to boost
productivity and meet today’s labour and environmental challenges.”