CNH’s New Holland Unveils R4 Robot Series for Specialty Crop Farming: A Leap in Agricultural Automation
NH Industrial’s New Holland division has taken a bold step forward in agricultural innovation with the introduction of its new R4 robot series, designed specifically for specialty crop farming. Showcased at the Agritechnica 2025 trade show, the concept marks CNH’s latest milestone in advancing automation, sustainability, and efficiency across global agricultural practices.
The Vision Behind CNH’s New Holland R4 Robot
New Holland, a core business unit under CNH Industrial, has long been recognized for its expertise in crop production and alternative energy solutions. The unveiling of the R4 robot represents CNH’s response to the increasing labor shortages and growing demand for environmentally responsible food production in high-value crop sectors such as vineyards and orchards.
Thierry Le Briquer, CNH’s Global Manager for Grape, Olive, and Coffee, explained:
A Collaboration of Engineering Excellence
Developed jointly by CNH’s R&D Centre in Modena, Italy, and the New Holland Centre of Excellence for Specialty Harvesting in Coëx, France, the R4 robot is a product of CNH’s global engineering collaboration. The design allows skilled human labor to focus on value-added tasks, while the R4 robots handle lower-value, repetitive operations — such as inter-row mowing, tillage, and spraying.
Using a combination of GPS, LiDAR, and vision cameras, the R4 operates autonomously and can be managed remotely via a dedicated mobile app. The system ensures precision, consistency, and safety, eliminating the need for human supervision in hazardous or monotonous tasks.
Key Features and Design Innovations
According to CNH, the R4 robot introduces an entirely new concept in farming machinery. Built from the ground up with no cab, it leverages CNH’s in-house expertise in electronics, powertrains, and precision technologies.
Thierry Le Briquer noted:
“R4 is the newest member of our product family, designed with the same autonomous tech stack used across our cash crop platforms. It fits seamlessly into CNH’s product ecosystem, sharing systems such as FieldOps and our universal autonomy platform.”
This shared technology ensures that R4 robots remain scalable, upgradable, and future-ready, aligning perfectly with CNH’s long-term commitment to smart farming.
Two Versions for Diverse Applications
New Holland has revealed two versions of the R4 concept, both designed to cater to the unique needs of different specialty crop operations:
1. R4 Electric Power
- Fully electric, powered by a 40 kWh battery pack.
- Ideal for narrow vineyards with row spacing between 1.0–1.5 meters.
- Weighs just 1 tonne, with a maximum height of 1.38 meters.
- Includes a 500 kg hitch lift capacity and supports electric-powered implements.
2. R4 Hybrid Power
- Developed for orchard and fruit producers.
- Features a 59hp (44kW) diesel engine capable of running on vegetable oil-based fuels.
- Can operate in full-electric mode when required, using dual 4kWh batteries.
- Offers a power-to-weight ratio twice that of traditional tractors, ensuring maximum efficiency and reduced emissions.
Both models utilize suspended rubber-track drive units to maximize traction while minimizing soil compaction — a major advantage for farmers focused on long-term soil health.
Smart Implement Functions
A highlight of the R4 robot system is its intelligent implement management technology. Designed by CNH engineers, these systems automate several critical farming tasks, including:
- Automated spray control by canopy height and gap detection.
- Flow rate optimization to minimize chemical usage.
- Spot spraying under development for disease-specific treatments.
- Headland management for precise operation at field boundaries.
These innovations help reduce waste, enhance accuracy, and contribute to CNH’s broader mission of sustainable agriculture.
Sustainability at the Core
CNH emphasizes that the R4 robots embody its global sustainability strategy. By using electric and hybrid powertrains, the machines drastically lower emissions and maintenance costs. The elimination of hydraulic systems also reduces fluid use, component wear, and environmental risk — all while delivering cleaner and more efficient performance.
Le Briquer added:
“Our goal was to create fully autonomous machines requiring only remote supervision. The R4 series represents CNH’s vision for sustainable, intelligent, and adaptable robotics in farming.”
A Future-Ready Farming Solution
The R4 Electric and R4 Hybrid Power models illustrate how CNH is driving the future of autonomous farming. By leveraging proven components from within its ecosystem, CNH ensures that these machines are reliable, cost-effective, and easy to maintain.
For growers facing rising labor costs and tightening environmental regulations, CNH’s R4 robots offer a clear path forward — a practical and scalable step toward smarter, cleaner, and more productive agriculture.
Conclusion
With the launch of the R4 robot series, CNH’s New Holland has reinforced its leadership in the agricultural machinery market. The company’s focus on automation, sustainability, and versatility demonstrates how robotics can empower farmers to overcome challenges and embrace a more efficient, eco-conscious future.
As CNH continues to expand its technology portfolio, the R4 series stands as a symbol of progress — merging innovation and sustainability for the next generation of global agriculture.
