Every centimeter counts: why satellite positioning and autonomy are the pillars of future agriculture

February 22, 2024

The quest for greater productivity has driven the development of agricultural technology for years. From creating more resistant cultivars to improving harvesting and storage processes, thousands of minds are at work around the world so that more can be harvested in less space and with less resources, ensuring the least possible environmental impact.

In Brazil, one of the world’s foremost food-producing countries, productivity grew by 400% between 1975 and 2020, according to a survey by the Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea). The same study highlighted the role of technology in this progress, highlighting the relevance of innovative solutions in contemporary agriculture.

According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the estimate for 2024 is 306.5 million tons of grain harvest. The slight drop compared to 2023 was to be expected, but even so, we will have a large harvest in Brazil, which will be guided, essentially, by technology.

When we imagine a machine in operation in the field, we usually don’t stop to think about the number of different solutions that enable it. Some of the most important of these are positioning technologies: antennas and receivers that pick up and process satellite signals  enabling precision in the lines of operation.

In addition, signal correction mechanisms have proved to be fundamental to make centimetre level positioning possible in modern agriculture. The ability of the machines to operate with geographical precision of just a few centimetres provides significant benefits, such as a reduction in overshooting, in addition to enabling the precise application of inputs such as fertilisers and pesticides, reducing waste and optimising the use of often expensive inputs.

High accuracy positioning methods, such as PPP also help to correct errors caused by ionospheric scintillation, a phenomenon that interferes with the intensity of radio frequency signals, affecting the performance of location systems. We are currently experiencing a peak in these solar flares, which has been a source of headaches for those who depend on precision agriculture.

In addition to positioning, autonomy, which is taking its first steps in the sector, also has the potential to become a key factor in increasing productivity. Autonomous solutions, from robotic devices for agrochemical applications to vehicles that are becoming more and more autonomous in their operation, have already begun to revolutionise agriculture. At Hexagon | NovAtel, investment in research and development for autonomous vehicles has been an integral part of our strategy and is among the company’s main goals for the coming years.

Combined with positioning solutions, the incorporation of autonomy in agriculture not only meets the growing demand for efficiency but also offers an innovative approach to tackling contemporary challenges such as labour shortages. Before full autonomy is achieved, however, technologies are already starting to help improve the efficiency of operations by assisting operators with repetitive tasks and alerting them to anomalies not always spotted by the naked eye. These functions can help with operator safety and reduce fatigue during the work shift. By promoting more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, this convergence of technologies contributes to establishing a crucial balance between productivity and environmental preservation, ensuring that the agriculture of the future is not only productive, but also environmentally conscious and socially responsible.