Perhaps you could help me understand the evolution of embedded software within Deere's agricultural equipment?

On a vehicle, there's a CAN bus, and it still is a CAN bus on most vehicles. There are many other networks now, but it's almost like the internet for the tractor or vehicle system. That's where all the data gets transferred. One major advantage for Deere is that we always treated data like the gold it would become. We didn't know how much data would matter today when we started, but we created a database where every message had to go into the CAN database. We developed our own database, so anyone needing to use that data, whether for our Service Advisor tool or any vehicle, used the same parameters and resolution of that data. This has been a significant advantage for us.

Perhaps you could help me understand the evolution of embedded software within Deere's agricultural equipment?

Another significant development around 2000 was our GPS technology. While cars weren't yet considering self-driving, John Deere's tractors were already driving in straight lines without manual steering. We achieved this by acquiring NavCom, a standalone company with its own GPS technology. John Deere is one of only three companies with Earth satellite stations worldwide, enabling constant communication and monitoring. We use satellites and Inmarsat satellites to transmit correction signals, which have become more accurate over the years.

Perhaps you could help me understand the evolution of embedded software within Deere's agricultural equipment?

The crucial factor is pulling time—how quickly you can acquire the signal. This has improved significantly over the years. We create our own chips for a competitive advantage. The John Deere GPS system is accurate to 2.5 centimeters at the bulb on top of the vehicles, where the signal comes in. In contrast, your phone's accuracy is between three and five meters. We're talking centimeters, so it's incredibly accurate.