Rostselmash demonstrated its unmanned combine in harvesting

Agricultural machines featuring innovative Rostselmash technologies are currently tested in the fields of Russia.

The development of an unmanned combine is a part of the innovative project called “A Self-Contained Farm”. The project is focused on massive use of unmanned technologies and high-accuracy navigation in agriculture.

The company representative notices that the combine’s on-board computer receives a job card online. The job is created in the Agrotronic system by means of the RSM Router system which employs the algorithm generating the best field travel route for one or more machines subject to the field geometry and specification of the machines. With that, several unloading locations are pre-established for the grain harvesters based on the full grain tank attribute, and this information is transmitted to the transfer vehicle driver. This can considerably improve the logistics. In such a case, the agricultural machine is moving along the pre-determined path, sticking to the assigned route with an accuracy of up to 2,5 cm, and if any obstacles are detected on the way, the autopilot automatically stops the machine. The RSM AutoCrop system helps automate the speed control function, as well. The header control is also fully automated: the header automatically lowers before entering a stint and raises when exiting. The operator’s only task is to monitor the parameters of threshing.

The unmanned TORUM 785 agricultural machine is equipped with a wide range of smart systems:

The RSM Router system generates the most efficient field travel route for vehicles, enables lossless harvesting in due time, and increases performance by 15 to 20%. The system constitutes the algorithm which carries out calculations within the specific field and crop characteristics. This system is mainly designed to coordinate the operation of machines by creating job cards and transmitting them to the machine’s on-board computer.

The RSM Optimax system is designed to help choosing the best combine settings for given operating conditions. By means of dialog windows, the system interacts with the operator to determine the best combine settings. The decision to change is made by the operator - the system only suggests. After receiving the operator’s confirmation, the system will apply the changes. Afterwards, the suggested settings will come into the on-board system along with the job assignment.

The RSM Level Control system uses the information from sensors in the grain tank to display the grain filling level. If there is more that 25% of grain in the grain tank, the system won’t let it to close, thus helping to avoid damage to fasteners of structures in the grain tank.

If some data, such as yield level or grain tank filling rate, get changed during the operation, the system will inform the drivers of respective vehicles on recalculation of the unloading time and location and send them updates via GPRS. This system helps optimize logistics by 25% and eliminate out-of-work time.

The proprietary RSM Yield Mapping system is developed on the basis of yield and moisture sensors. The system measures threshing yield at each point of the field and creates yield and moisture maps. The data are continuously transmitted to the Agrotronic server to be automatically analysed and presented as maps. At any time, the user can view, edit, or download the data for further use, including for creating maps for differentiated fertilizer application.

The RSM AutoDriver and RSM Explorer Plus auto-steering systems automatically control the combine travel path and drive the machine in parallel to the previous passage, also handling turns and header control. The system features functionality for transmitting the job to the auto-steering system via the Agrotronic platform. The use of GNSS and RTK technologies enables achieving a machine positioning accuracy of 2.5 cm. The operator only needs to monitor the threshing parameters. Everything else is controlled by the smart auto-steering system. The RSM Explorer Plus system employs computer visions, which ensures the combine stops in front of an obstacle making this system one of the safest in the world.

The RSM AutoCrop system automatically adjusts the best harvesting rate depending on the engine, feeder house, rethresher, and rotor load, and the amount of losses. This ensures a consistent flow of crop material at the TSU input, which means a consistent threshing and cleaning process flow with minimum losses.

If any obstacles are detected on the way of the combine, the RSM Explorer Plus system automatically stops the machine and warns the operator about the obstruction. This functionality prevents from hitting an obstacle and protects the tools from ambient impact when harvesting, also making the unmanned operation mode of the machine safer. The system can also automatically control the header rising process before turning and during the turn, as well as lowering the header prior to start harvesting.

The groundbreaking TORUM 785, equipped with the process automation systems, carefully threshes grain. The package of smart combine control systems reduces the operator’s load. The computer vision functionality provides for a new harvesting safety and convenience level.