Agritechnica 2023 brings together the main global innovations in the sector

The main innovations for the field will be presented at Agritechnica 2023, the world's largest agricultural machinery event, which will be held between November 12th and 18th, in Hanover (Germany). With the theme “Green Productivity”, the fair will debate how technological solutions contribute to precision agriculture, to meet the growing demand for quality food and feed, preserving natural resources.

The Brazilian industry will be represented at the event with individual and collective stands in two pavilions to promote products developed in Brazil. Among the exhibitors are the National Union of the Automotive Components Industry (Sindipeças), which will bring a collective of members, and the Brazilian Machinery Association (ABIMAQ) which, in partnership with ApexBrasil, will present the main innovations of the national industry.

One of the confirmed exhibiting companies is METISA (Metalúrgica Timboense S.A), present at Agritechnica since 2003. The agricultural parts industry has been on the market for more than 80 years, with a presence in more than 50 countries. “Due to our constant participation in the fair, we have grown significantly in Europe, a very competitive and demanding market. Agritechnica gives us the opportunity to meet our customers, detect new business opportunities, observe our competitors and learn about future trends linked to agriculture”, explains Solange Sdrigotti, responsible for the company's European sales area.

According to data from ABIMAQ, in 2021, the machinery and equipment sector had revenues of R＄299 billion and exports represented 20% of this value. Of the 8,6 companies in the sector, 53% sold to other countries. Since 2010, the main export destinations have been the United States, Argentina, the Netherlands, Chile, Paraguay, Mexico, Peru, Colombia and Germany.

Automation in the field

Among the technological innovations that will be presented at Agritechnica are driver assistance solutions and agricultural machinery optimization systems, precision agriculture technologies, autonomous driving concepts and the improvement of the human-machine interface.

“Technology has advanced a lot in recent years and today we have autonomous machines, which use intelligent sensors and satellite navigation (GPS), for example, for the targeted management of agricultural land. But despite this accelerated digital transformation in the field, there is still a lot of research being developed to increase productivity and efficiency in a sustainable way and, certainly, many of these results will be present at Agritechnica”, highlights Timo Zipf, director of the German Agricultural Society (DLG) , event organizer.

“Industry leaders, medium-sized companies and startups from all continents will bring to the event key innovations in the areas of engines, electronics, drive technology, hydraulics, cabins and power elevators, as well as spare and wear parts. With this portfolio of exhibitors, Agritechnica seeks to take the automation of work machines to a new level, focusing mainly on the human-machine interface.” explains Brena Bäumle, director of Bäumle Organización de Feiras, official representative of DLG for Brazil.

One of the solutions comes from the “Driver’s Cabin 4.0” research consortium, which is joined by the machine manufacturer CLAAS, and proposes an automated assistance system for the driver. The project developed by researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is an adaptive human-machine interface, capable of recognizing the driver's current level of stress and automatically providing individual recommendations for action. Scientists examine stress levels using eye tracking or heart rate. When it detects that the driver is stressed, the system generates action recommendations, which are projected onto the windshield, in the operator's field of vision, using augmented reality. In addition to monitoring stress and indicating actions to minimize risks, other useful information can be integrated into the system, such as the weather forecast or data on soil pollution, for example.

The use of robots in field work, such as those that automatically identify and remove weeds, is another trend that will feature prominently at Agritechnica 2023. Many of the startups' investments aim to develop and commercialize autonomous agricultural machines that, with low weight operating and adjustable tracks, can do the job in a way that protects the ground and is more energy efficient than conventional technology. This equipment has sensors to detect obstacles in the path and takes on monotonous, tiring and sometimes dangerous work, freeing professionals for other activities.