John Deere Expands Autonomous Lineup with 9RX and 5ML Tractors
John Deere has unveiled two new autonomous agricultural machines—the Autonomous 9RX Tractor for large-scale farming and the Autonomous 5ML Orchard Tractor for air blast spraying.
Both machines were showcased at CES 2025 in Las Vegas from January 7-10, demonstrating John Deere’s commitment to addressing skilled labor shortages in agriculture.
“Our agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping customers all have work that must get done at certain times of the day and year, yet there is not enough available and skilled labor to do the work,” said John Deere Chief Technology Officer Jahmy Hindman.
“Autonomy can help address this challenge, which is why we’re expanding our technology to enable more machines to operate safely and efficiently in complex environments. This will not only benefit our customers but also everyone who relies on them for food, fuel, fiber, infrastructure, and landscaping.”
Advancing Autonomous Farming Technology
Building on its first-generation autonomous technology introduced at CES 2022, John Deere’s latest autonomy kit integrates AI, advanced computer vision, and multiple cameras to improve machine navigation and efficiency.
- Autonomous 9RX Tractor:
- Equipped with 16 high-resolution cameras for a 360-degree field view, enabling hands-free operation.
- Advanced depth-sensing AI allows for faster speeds and increased pulling capacity.
- Autonomous 5ML Orchard Tractor:
- Features Lidar sensors to navigate dense orchard canopies.
- Initially available with a diesel engine, with a battery-electric version set to follow.
Cloud-Connected Control
Both machines integrate with John Deere Operations Center Mobile, the company’s cloud-based platform, allowing users to:
✔ Monitor live video feeds, images, and performance data
✔ Adjust speed and other machine settings remotely
✔ Optimize efficiency with real-time insights
With these innovations, John Deere continues to push the boundaries of automation in agriculture, providing farmers with smarter, more efficient solutions to meet growing demands.