John Deere’s CES launches underscore its commitment to real-world customer solutions. It is addressing the critical labour shortage and operational efficiency challenge, writes Upendra Kasbekar.

John Deere’s latest product launches represent a ground breaking commitment to enhancing productivity and addressing critical labour shortages in agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping. These innovations aim to reshape how work is done in these industries, combining cutting-edge technology with practical solutions for real-world challenges.
India continues to watch the developments closely. The focus remains on long-term efforts to reduce logistics costs in a bid to introduce new efficiencies and ease margin pressures. At the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) level, the changes are taking shape in the supply chain with tier suppliers working even more closely on manufacturing needs with the OEMs. The changes are also reflecting on the shopfloor with sophisticated tooling setups put in place to ensure higher output at globally acceptable quality.
In a remarkable leap towards technological advancement, John Deere unveiled its next-generation autonomous machines and technologies at CES 2025. Building upon its journey toward autonomy that began in 2022, the company introduced a new suite of advanced machines designed to tackle labour shortages and optimise operational efficiency. These innovations mark a significant shift in how agriculture, construction, and landscaping tasks are carried out, with automation at the core of the strategy.

Expanding Autonomy Beyond Agriculture
John Deere’s Chief Technology Officer, Jahmy Hindman, highlighted the industry-wide challenge of labour shortages in sectors like agriculture, construction, and landscaping, all of which require consistent, skilled work at specific times throughout the year. “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 labour to do the work,” Hindman explained.
The introduction of autonomous machines, according to Hindman, is a critical step toward overcoming this gap in labour availability. “Autonomy can help address this challenge by enabling more machines to operate safely and autonomously in unique and complex environments. This will not only benefit our customers but also everyone who relies on them for food, fuel, fiber, infrastructure, and landscaping care.”
Building on this vision, Deere introduced its second-generation autonomy kit, which incorporates sophisticated AI and computer vision technologies. This combination enables machines to navigate complex environments with minimal human intervention, enhancing both safety and productivity.

Autonomous 9RX Tractor for Large-Scale Farming
Among the notable launches was the Autonomous 9RX tractor, designed for large-scale farming operations. This tractor is particularly suited for demanding tasks like tillage during the busiest times of the agricultural year. With 16 individual cameras mounted in pods for 360-degree coverage, the 9RX can operate autonomously, allowing farmers to focus on other important tasks.
Hindman explained that the advanced autonomy kit enhances the tractor’s ability to navigate larger distances and carry heavier implements at higher speeds. “The system’s enhanced accuracy in detecting obstacles ensures greater safety and efficiency,” he said. This innovation is poised to revolutionise farming by improving operational efficiency and reducing the need for manual labour during critical times in the agricultural calendar.
Autonomous 5ML Orchard Tractor for High-Value Crops
Another key product launch was the 5ML autonomous orchard tractor, which is specifically designed for air-blast spraying in orchards one of the most labor-intensive tasks in agriculture. The 5ML integrates Lidar sensors with a sophisticated camera array, enabling it to navigate dense orchard canopies and identify obstacles like irrigation pipes and beehives.
Aino Cap, Director of Autonomous Solutions at John Deere, noted the impact of automating this process, saying, “Protecting crops through air blast spraying is a labor-intensive job, especially during peak seasons. By automating this process, we are addressing a critical pain point for orchard owners.” Furthermore, Cap revealed that a fully electric version of the 5ML tractor will soon be available, featuring five immersion-cooled batteries to provide a sustainable and high-performance solution.
460 P-Tier Autonomous Articulated Dump Truck (ADT)
John Deere’s foray into the construction sector was marked by the launch of the 460 P-Tier autonomous articulated dump truck (ADT), designed for use in quarries. This autonomous ADT eliminates the need for human drivers in the challenging task of transporting raw materials around rugged quarry sites.
Maya Shad, Vice President of Construction Solutions at John Deere, spoke about the revolutionary impact this vehicle will have on quarry operations: “Quarries are vital for infrastructure development, supplying essential materials for roads, buildings, and other projects. Our autonomous ADT, equipped with the second-generation autonomy kit, will revolutionise quarry operations by enabling round-the-clock productivity.” By removing human operators from hazardous environments, the ADT also significantly improves safety, offering a more efficient and cost-effective solution for quarry management.
Commercial Landscaping: Autonomous Battery Electric Mower
Expanding into commercial landscaping, John Deere introduced an autonomous battery electric mower optimised for use in office parks and industrial complexes. The mower employs the same camera technology as the company’s larger machines, ensuring consistent performance in urban environments.
“Our autonomous mower ensures consistent performance while reducing noise and emissions, making it an ideal solution for urban environments,” Hindman explained. With four pairs of stereo cameras for 360-degree coverage, the mower operates autonomously while human operators can focus on other aspects of landscaping work. Additionally, Deere plans to offer this technology as a retrofit kit for existing mowers, thereby expanding the accessibility of autonomous technology to a broader customer base.
Connectivity and Control via John Deere Operations Center Mobile
A crucial component of John Deere’s autonomous solutions is its cloud-based platform, the John Deere Operations Center Mobile. This platform allows users to remotely monitor machine performance, view live video feeds, and adjust operational parameters on the go. Hindman emphasised the ease and convenience this system offers: “Our goal is to make autonomy accessible and user-friendly for all our customers. By leveraging the Operations Center Mobile app, users can start and stop machines with a simple swipe, monitor job quality, and receive alerts in case of anomalies.”
This integration with a mobile platform is essential for farmers, construction operators, and landscapers who require real-time control and monitoring over their autonomous machines. It adds a layer of simplicity and efficiency, enabling users to focus more on strategic operations while trusting the autonomous machines to handle routine tasks.
Industry Recognition and Customer Feedback
The launch event featured testimonials from customers who are already utilising Deere’s autonomous technology. Russell Michael, a walnut and almond farmer from Northern California, shared his perspective: “To go from farming without cell phones to controlling a tractor from my smartphone is incredible. Autonomy has transformed how we operate, allowing us to focus on strategic tasks rather than routine operations.” Similarly, Russell Hatfield, a quarry manager from Las Vegas, praised the impact of the autonomous ADT: “Running a quarry is a 24/7 job with constant pressure to maintain output. The autonomous dump truck not only ensures consistent throughput but also improves safety by reducing human intervention in hazardous environments.”
The Road Ahead: Scaling Autonomy Across Industries
Looking forward, John Deere plans to scale its autonomous solutions across a wider range of machines and industries. Hindman stated, “We are committed to building a modular tech stack that can be applied across different applications. By sharing technology and learnings across agriculture, construction, and landscaping, we aim to accelerate the adoption of autonomy industry-wide.”
To support this vision, Deere plans to offer both autonomy-ready machines directly from the factory and retrofit kits for existing equipment, allowing customers flexibility in integrating autonomous technology into their operations. John Deere’s new product launches demonstrate its unwavering commitment to solving real-world challenges, such as labour shortages and operational inefficiencies. By introducing a diverse range of autonomous solutions across agriculture, construction, and commercial landscaping, the company is revolutionising how work is done in these industries. “Our purpose is to create solutions that meet the real needs of our customers,” Hindman concluded. “We rely on them every day for the food, fuel, and infrastructure that sustain our lives. With our autonomous technology, we are proud to support them in building a better future.”