Gators go robotic

John Deere sees opportunities on the battlefield and in the corn field for its intelligent vehicle program.

There is something unusual about the two small six-wheeled trucks moving slowly along a remote trail. Despite their olive-drab paint and stubby central masts, both are quickly identified as Gators, the ubiquitous John Deere utility vehicles beloved by golf-course greenskeepers. But neither vehicle has a driver. They appear to be patrolling together as if steered by an invisible hand.

One moment, both vehicles' fat knobby tires accelerate and decelerate in unison, tracking precisely within the narrow dirt path and keeping perfect convoy distance. Then, seemingly on command, they turn off the trail into an open field. Each randomly varies its speed, course, and distance while occasionally stopping and starting again, like hunting dogs on the scent.