Daedong has unveiled what it calls an “AI Tractor,” the first vision-based autonomous farming machine to reach the commercial market. Developed to address an aging rural workforce and widening labor shortages, the unmanned, self-operating tractor runs on on-device AI — processing decisions locally without relying on cloud connectivity.
The system handles implement recognition, route planning, and self-guided operation autonomously. Daedong plans a phased rollout in North American and European markets, with field tests currently underway ahead of a planned North American launch next year. The move positions the company as an early mover in AI-driven agricultural robotics on the global stage.
Farmers can launch the AI Tractor’s operations with a single tap on a smartphone app from the field entrance. A six-camera array delivers a 360-degree view, enabling real-time analysis of field boundaries, obstacles, and implements.
The tractor independently generates routes and navigates around obstacles, maintaining full functionality regardless of network conditions. The system is built to free operators to focus on oversight and strategic decisions, with consistent work quality whether run by a novice or fully unmanned.
At its core is a continuous learning algorithm built on MLOps (Machine Learning Operations), which improves accuracy and reliability with each use by learning from route, obstacle, and environmental data.
All operational data is automatically stored in Daedong’s Operation Center, accessible via web and mobile apps, giving farmers a clear view of work history and field conditions for data-driven management.
On the hardware side, the tractor features a heavy-duty chassis, extended wheelbase, and an integrated electronic system controlling steering, brakes, transmission, and the three-point hitch — ensuring precise execution of AI-generated pathways.
Daedong Group Management Vice President Na Young-jung said the AI Tractor is “a fully autonomous agricultural field robot,” adding that the launch marks the company’s push to expand its AI and robotics lineup across the broader autonomous agriculture market.
