Multimode Autonomous Farming Machine Transforms Plant Treatment Flexibility

Deere & Company has developed an innovative autonomous farming machine that can switch between multiple treatment modes to deliver uniform or variable plant treatments, including defoliation, based on field conditions and treatment objectives. The technology addresses a critical gap in agricultural machinery where traditional equipment is locked into single operational modes.

The Problem

Modern agricultural machinery has been engineered with solitary treatment modes or configurations as their fundamental function. This constraint stems from technological limitations where traditional sensors and algorithms guiding machine operations lack the capabilities to enable higher levels of operational flexibility. Additionally, conventional machine learning algorithms struggle to completely understand and respond to the varied and complex dynamics of agricultural conditions. These limitations force traditional machines to operate in fixed configurations, rendering them unable to adapt or switch modes in response to changing farming needs or environmental conditions throughout the season.

The consequence of this single-configuration design approach manifests as significant inefficiency and resource waste. Farmers are forced to choose one treatment method upfront, unable to optimize for varying plant characteristics, soil conditions, or pest pressure across different regions of the field.

What This Invention Does

The multimode autonomous farming machine uses a control system that dynamically adjusts its operational mode and treatment configuration based on multiple factors including present environmental conditions, machine status, the treatment plan, and farming objectives. The system can autonomously determine whether to operate in broadcast mode, spot mode, or alternative treatment configurations, and can switch between uniform and variable treatment approaches as conditions warrant.

Rather than requiring manual reconfiguration or limiting farmers to a single approach, this farming machine continuously evaluates field data and inputs various measurements to inform the appropriate mode selection. This dynamic mode switching increases both operational efficiency and resource production across the agricultural field. The machine’s autonomous control system processes real-time sensor data to make rapid decisions about treatment delivery, enabling responsive agriculture that adapts to field variability without human intervention.

Key Features

• Autonomous Mode Selection. The control system analyzes environmental conditions, operational parameters, and treatment objectives to automatically select and transition between operational modes without manual reconfiguration.
• Multiple Treatment Configurations. The machine supports broadcast mode for broad-area treatment, spot mode for targeted application, and other specialized configurations depending on crop and weed management needs.
• Uniform and Variable Treatment. The system can switch between uniform treatment application across an area and variable rate treatment that adjusts application intensity based on specific plant or location characteristics.
• Data-Driven Decision Making. Multiple sensor inputs and measurement systems inform the control algorithms, enabling decisions based on current field conditions rather than preset parameters.
• Increased Operational Efficiency. Dynamic mode adjustment reduces waste, minimizes unnecessary applications, and optimizes resource use by matching treatment method to actual field requirements.

Who Is Behind It?

Deere & Company, the global leader in agricultural machinery, developed this innovation with inventors William Louis Patzoldt, John William Peake, Trevor Stanhope, and Austin Schuh. The patent was filed on 21 August 2025, claiming priority to U.S. Application 18/821,014 filed on 30 August 2024. Pizzeys Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys Pty Ltd represents the application in Australia.

Why It Matters

This technology represents a significant shift in how autonomous agricultural equipment can operate. Rather than forcing farmers into one-size-fits-all equipment choices, the multimode machine enables adaptive agriculture that responds intelligently to field variability. The increased operational flexibility should translate into better pest and weed management outcomes, reduced chemical and resource consumption, and improved crop yields through more precise application strategies.

The development of machines that can think dynamically about treatment needs reflects the growing sophistication of agricultural technology and aligns with broader trends toward precision agriculture and sustainability in food production.

Related Concepts

Precision agriculture uses data-driven technologies to optimise inputs across field variability, reducing waste and improving yields. Autonomous machines that adjust treatment in real time represent the frontier of this discipline, combining sensor fusion with adaptive control algorithms.

Variable rate application (VRA) allows farming equipment to modulate the quantity of seed, fertiliser, or pesticide delivered based on prescription maps or live sensor data. Deere’s multimode system extends VRA principles to operational mode selection itself, enabling a single machine to function as both a broadcast sprayer and a targeted spot-treatment platform.

---

AU 2025220768 was published in the Australian Official Journal of Patents on 19 March 2026 and is open for public inspection. Patent applications represent inventions that are sought to be protected and do not necessarily reflect commercially available products.