Trimble’s ‘significant step’ towards fully autonomous equipment

Trimble is currently field testing this technology with Dynapac, as part of its autonomous compactor

Trimble has announced its new advanced path planning technology which is said to give the ability to optimise and automate the trajectory, speed and overall path design of industrial equipment to increase efficiency of work.

The US-based technology giant says that this means that manufacturers worldwide can now provide customers with an easy-to-integrate, automated solution that works not only with Trimble systems, but also with an equipment manufacturer’s existing system.

Traditional path planning options require manual set-up, which impacts productivity, consistency and execution. By contrast, Trimble’s advanced path planning technology offers automated, full path, complete project trajectory from entry to exit, including logistics points. The technology allows plans to be created in the office and adjustments made in the field or worksite. It is also optimised for complex fields, unique site shapes, obstacles and avoidance zones.

“Our new path planning technology is the next step in Trimble’s vision of making fully autonomous solutions available across industries, regardless of brand, type of equipment or use case,” said Finlay Wood, general manager, Off-Road Autonomy, Trimble.

“With this easy-to-integrate solution, we’ve taken another significant step towards full autonomy. It enables our customers to reduce waste and simplify complex tasks, whether they are in the cab or not – part of our vision to meet operators where they are on their path toward fully autonomous solutions.”

Trimble says its new software capability will enable a broad range of autonomous applications across a variety of industries, including construction

This new software capability will enable a broad range of autonomous applications across a variety of industries, including construction and agriculture. Once implemented, it can allow customers to meet their emerging product and operational goals no matter where each one is on the autonomy journey.

Trimble field tested the technology with HORSCH, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of modern agricultural technology, integrating path planning technology into the company’s self-propelled PT and VL sprayer series to provide an autonomous, four-wheel-drive solution. Trimble is also currently field testing this technology with Dynapac, a leading supplier of high-tech soil and asphalt rollers, light equipment and pavers, as part of its autonomous compactor.

The technology will also be available within Trimble Connected Farm and Trimble Construction Cloud.