This is exactly where Arnold NextG comes in. With NX NextMotion, we’ve developed a modular, TÜV-certified Drive-by-Wire platform already in use across real-world off-road applications – built for autonomy, proven in the field.
Why Conventional Machine Architectures Are Reaching Their Limits
Climate variability, skilled labor shortages, and rising input costs are creating growing pressure on agricultural operations. At the same time, expectations for machine performance have evolved: it's no longer just about automation, but about seamless connectivity, remote operation, and true interoperability.
Conventional hydraulic and mechanical steering systems are hitting architectural, safety, and functional boundaries. A recent global analysis underscores the urgency: “Farmers worldwide cite rising input prices, extreme weather, and market volatility as their top operational risks.”
— McKinsey & Company, Global Farmer Insights 2024
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/agriculture/our-insights/global-farmer-insights-2024
To meet these challenges, tomorrow’s machines must be built on system architectures that are software-defined, cybersecure, and designed for autonomy from the core up.
NX NextMotion delivers precisely that: a Drive-by-Wire system engineered for safety-critical off-road environments – complete with real-time control, multi-channel redundancy, and integrated diagnostics.
From Tractor to System Platform
Whether it’s a tractor, sprayer, mower, or carrier vehicle – with NX NextMotion, agricultural machines become fully steerable without mechanical linkages. The system is built around a modular safety controller with integrated power electronics and multiple redundant signal paths:
- Drive-, Steer-, and Brake-by-Wire with multi-channel redundancy (4x control loops, 2oo3 sensor validation)
- Real-time multi-CPU architecture with deterministic execution
- Communication via SAFE-CAN A/B and Automotive Ethernet – ready for edge, cloud, and OTA integration
- Certified to ISO 26262 (ASIL D), ISO 21434, ISO 61503 (SIL3), UNECE R79, FMVSS 126
- Built-in cybersecurity stack, friction estimation, and >2,000 real-time self-diagnostics
Real Applications – Not Just Theory
Thanks to its open API architecture, the platform is fully OEM-independent. It supports both retrofitting of existing machinery and integration into new designs – with support for standard CAN, LIN, analog, and digital interfaces.
Conclusion & Outlook
Autonomous farming is no longer a prototype – it’s an operational necessity. As system complexity grows, so does the need for architectural clarity and control reliability. NX NextMotion provides the system intelligence required for:
- Autonomy-ready vehicle platforms
- Swarm-capable field operations
- Teleoperated specialist machines
- OEM-ready control architectures for next-gen AgTech
Live at AGRITECHNICA 2025, Hall 21, Booth H05
Experience NX NextMotion in action – with live demonstrators, remote control testing, Safety-by-Wire architecture insights, and direct talks with our engineering teams.