Robot tractors may be heading to a farm near you

The Deer & Co John Deere 8R fully autonomous tractor is displayed ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. — AFP

LAS VEGAS: Driverless plows and autonomous tools to weed vegetable plots are the latest innovations ready to help farmers juggling labour shortages, climate change and environmental protection, while trying to feed a growing world population.

Venerable American farm equipment manufacturer John Deere and French agricultural robot startup Naio debuted their latest innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show, which began Jan 5 in Las Vegas.