A row of unmanned planters and tractors makes its debut at the rapeseed farm. [Photo/Hubei Daily]

On Sept 20, the nation's first unmanned rapeseed farm, a joint project by Huazhong Agricultural University (HZAU) and the Hubei Provincial Agricultural Development Center, was unveiled. The display highlighted Hubei's independently developed unmanned cultivation technology and featured 18 new pieces of agricultural equipment, creating an impressive exhibit of modern farming.

Covering 1,100 mu (73.33 hectares), the farm demonstrated a fully automated system. From the field, researchers used a remote control to start the operation, and a fleet of unmanned tractors and seeders responded instantly. The machines moved autonomously, executing turns and reversals with seamless precision.

The core of the technology includes high-precision mapping, comprehensive path planning, and advanced navigation systems. The system also includes AI-powered algorithms for obstacle recognition, enabling machines to automatically stop and restart operations. The integrated cloud-to-terminal control allows for multiple machines to synchronize and for automated tasks, such as parking for fertilizer and seed replenishment.

This breakthrough is crucial for China, as rapeseed is its largest oilseed crop, with the Yangtze River Basin accounting for roughly 85 percent of the country's production. Improving sowing quality is a key step toward increasing yields.

Initial data shows it can reduce costs by over 10 percent and save more than 70 percent on labor per mu. This development serves as a powerful model for enhancing agricultural efficiency and productivity, while also significantly lowering labor costs to advance agricultural modernization.