Farmers Say Intelligent Tractors "Acted Like They Were Demon Possessed" After Signal Out of Space [Ordinary Solar Activity]

msn ^ | 12/13/2024 | Victor Tangermann

[BenLurkin]

Modern tractors rely on precise GPS coordinates to navigate fields. But with charged particles distorting radio signals from GPS satellites, some of them started acting erratically, stopping abruptly or weaving back and forth.

"I would guess 80 percent or more of all farmers in the Midwest use at least basic GPS for something — whether it's auto-steer or yield mapping," John Deere service manager Ethan Smidt told SpaceWeather. "At least 50 percent of all farmers are VERY reliant on GPS and use it on every machine all year long."

During particularly violent solar storms, charged particles fill the Earth's ionosphere, the part of the Earth's upper atmosphere that creates a protective barrier between us and electrically charged particles from the Sun.

The layer is also responsible for transmitting GPS signals from satellites down to the surface. So changing densities of the ionosphere, caused by this bombardment of charged particles, can distort radio signals as they make their way through.

Ramstad recalled to SpaceWeather that her GPS "was off by close to a foot" during the day. "By nightfall, there was no controlling the Autosteer."

And farmers should expect more chaos, as NASA has predicted that solar maximum could last for another one to two years.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

[Redcitizen]

I’ve seen this movie- Maximum Overdrive.

[V_TWIN]

Start at 7:10.....Scotty has some scary info about this autonomous crap.

https://youtu.be/Dy7XQ974B7Y?si=HcH3sVPPSt7nCdM3

[wally_bert]

There was “KillDozer”.

I’d prefer a real tractor, not the farming version of Knight Rider.

These are still around and get run every so often.

https://youtu.be/lSouzl1erxo?si=_n-Mg-oe0s-kEdod

[lee martell]

That makes the first time I’ve heard of “Violent Solar Storms” having any real world effect vs hypothetical effect.

[subterfuge]

Probably just aliens doing this...

[Red Badger]

Every new technology brings with it new problems..................

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Expect a movie on the SIFI channel about Demon Tractors next week.

[bobbo666]

Surely there are devices you can place on farm to provide same info — can’t get to that without being physically on farm.

[Hot Tabasco]

I recently rented a 2024 Toyota Corolla and in the front instrument panel there was a small, square icon that would display the current speed limit on whatever street I was on then turn red if I exceeded that limit.

Where would the speed limit be transmitted from?

[Redcitizen]

I remember an old blue tractor my grandpa had on the factor. That was an entirely manual tractor. My dad used to drive it too. They used it to bake hay and plow soil for planting.

[SPDSHDW]

It’s probably scanning for signs, if it has Adaptive cruise control.
Modern cars have all sorts of sensors, cameras, and other nonsense. Most of this required by law. Joepedo’s NTHSA is forcing cars to detect speed limits and cut your speed if you’re 10 over posted speed limit. This is to go into effect by 2028. This is probably a lighter version of that.

There is also the possibility it’s getting the local speed limit via LTE telematics, based on GPS data, but I cannot say for sure.

[Tench_Coxe]

Or....

[Openurmind]

Just to save a couple dollars on operators who can steer one without it. The operator is cheaper... Stepping over a dollar to pick up a dime is stupid business.

[The Great RJ]

The GPS on my Android phone and the GPS in my wife’s Hyundai Tucson both give alerts for speed traps ahead. Nice to have, but where does that information come from?

[wally_bert]

I grew up in a strict Massey Ferguson household.

No Ford or John Deere.

A little Allis Chalmers was tolerated.

I guess my uncle still has it. He plowed a small garden with AC.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Then there's this classic.

[Ezekiel]

So changing densities of the ionosphere, caused by this bombardment of charged particles, can distort radio signals as they make their way through.

General Colt had something to say about that.

"By nightfall, there was no controlling the Autosteer."

🐂

[crz]

Gee. Whatever did they do 40 years ago without this BS.
Right now, used classic tractors are getting are to come by because they get snapped up at auction, overhauled, and put back out on the fields.
Between a 9000 ford or similar, and a new tractor, theres no comparison.
Id take the old tractor over the new in a second.

So what! The new tractor has a nice interior and bragging rights. BFD!