Can agriculture equipment automation be used as assistive technology?
Agriculture equipment has evolved many ways since the first self-propelled tractor was introduced more than 100 years ago. The latest wave in this evolution is equipment automation. But where does equipment automation fit in the realm of assistive technology? The answer lies in making accommodations for repetitive, tedious tasks. Generally, steering a vehicle is not the most challenging aspect of operating a piece of machinery. However, if you find it difficult to grasp a steering wheel for the long hours that farmers work, it could not only reduce productivity but cause damaging effects to your health. A Global Positioning System (GPS) aided automatic steering unit could reduce operator fatigue and allow someone with limited dexterity to work longer hours and be more productive in the field. These systems are available for most agriculture machinery and come with various levels of accuracy. The most expensive ($30,000 – $40,000) systems can reduce implement overlap to less than two in
