'It’s an exciting time': Sask. firm hopes its autonomous farm equipment is the way of the future
Grain farmer Clinton Monchuk is no stranger to ever-changing technology when it comes to agriculture. But for Monchuk, the creation of a Saskatchewan tech firm poses some intriguing possibilities
OMNI Power was created by Raven Industries in Saskatchewan. Built to run on its own, OMNI Power can be programmed to complete different tasks like spraying the land or seed planting. No driver is necessary because a farmer can control everything from the comfort of their home on a tablet.
“It actually takes the tractor out of it so it’s the whole system together so it’s re-imagining how farming could look like in the future and possibly not even having to use a tractor and self-contained system to do your planting so that’s very interesting,” Monchuk said, who not yet a user himself.
“Being able to improve productivity and get a lot more done and make sure that every crop is maximizing its potential that’s where a lot of the technology comes in,” said Ben Voss, Director of Sales at Raven Industries.
But Monchuk does have reservations when it comes to running large equipment from a tablet sitting at his kitchen counter.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen if they drive through someplace that’s too muddy and then you are trying to pull it out where myself I would probably go around it right so I think science still has some things they need to figure out,” said Monchuk
Voss believes Monchuk’s concern is a common one. He said the technology is about providing farmers with as many options as possible. He suggests being in the field while the machine is running so it can be supervised.
“There is going to be people that are excited to run a very advanced driverless machine and people going 'You know what I want just pieces of it and can you sell me this piece or that piece and then it’ll make my other equipment more efficient.' We call it the path to autonomy. Some people may start at some of the entry-level things and then adopt more and more over time,” said Voss.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.