2020 will see John Deere launch the new 8RX tractor in South Africa.
The 8RX integrates artificial intelligence, the Internet of things, and advanced automation to help farmers work more efficiently while also gathering data to make more informed decisions and increase future machine intelligence.
Having just won honours in the ‘Tech for a Better World’ category in the CES Innovation Awards in the United States, “we are very excited about the impact that the new 8RX tractor will have on improved yields in Africa,” says Freddie Rupping, Production System Specialist, Tractor Marketing, John Deere Sub-Saharan Africa.
CES is the world’s gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years — the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced.
The CES Innovation Awards are an annual competition honouring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. The program awards prizes in a multitude of consumer technology product categories. The ‘Tech for a Better World’ category recognises outstanding product design and engineering in consumer technology products that impact society and the world in a positive way.
The CES Innovation Awards program reviews and scores products based on design, functionality, consumer appeal and engineering – as well as their positive impact on the world. Selection is performed by an elite panel of judges composed of designers, engineers and members of the tech media.
As a world-leading technology company, John Deere helps customers meet the many challenges of farming. “We are humbled by this award from a leading technology organisation as it highlights our commitment to agriculture, innovation, and technology,” says Rupping.
The 8RX is a high horsepower fixed-frame four-track tractor that integrates smart technology in a user-friendly design.
“This award recognizes our focus on innovation in precision agriculture, enabling farmers to increase productivity as they meet the challenge of feeding a rapidly-growing global population,” says Rupping.
Although the product has been released for sale in the US, EU and other global markets, it will only be available for sale in South Africa and other sub-Saharan African markets after passing all regulatory requirements.