Updated Vehicle & Implement Measurements

We are excited to introduce our updated vehicle and implement measurement system. This update gives the Sabanto Autonomy System a more accurate understanding of the space occupied by each tractor and implement.

With the updated measurement system, tractors and implements can now be measured separately. This makes it easier to represent different equipment setups, switch implements, and support more advanced measurement-based features going forward.

Quick Search

• Why This Update Matters

• What Changed?

• What do I Need to do?

• What do I get with Updated Measurements?

  • Increased Accuracy for Obstacle and Geofence Detection

  • Fewer Geofence Pauses for Center Trailing Section Implements

  • Support for Ignoring Overhanging Obstacles (Coming Soon)

  • Support for Navigating Narrow Areas with Folded Implements (Coming Soon)

  • Future Support for Front-Mounted Implements

• Measurement Guides

Why This Update Matters

The updated measurement system helps the autonomy system better understand the true shape and size of the equipment. This can help with:

• More accurate modeling of the tractor and implement while navigating
• Measuring tractors and implements separately, without needing them physically attached
• Fewer unnecessary pauses near field boundaries
• Better obstacle filtering for tall obstacles and low-height implements
• Support for folded implement widths for obstacle detection when wings are folded
• Support for future front-mounted implement configurations

These improvements help the system make better decisions based on the actual equipment setup being used.

What Changed?

Previously, the system used a more general equipment shape when checking for obstacles and field boundaries. This worked for many setups, but it could also cause unnecessary pauses when the system thought the equipment was too close to an obstacle or boundary.

The updated measurement system allows the equipment shape to be represented more accurately. Instead of treating every tractor and implement setup like one large rectangle □, the system can now account for more detailed tractor and implement dimensions.

This is especially helpful for low-height implements, folding implements, implements with a center trailing section, and vehicles with added equipment such as fuel tanks, weights, brackets, or other fixed attachments.

What do I Need to do?

To use the new features below, both the vehicle and the attached implement need to use the updated measurement system.

• If a vehicle or implement is still using the older measurement system, vMC will show an badge on the equipment page. Clicking this badge will take you to the measurement page for that piece of equipment.

• Please update the measurements for any vehicles or implements that show this badge on the vMC equipment page.

• Before entering measurements, review the equipment capabilities and enable any that apply to your setup as they may reveal new measurements to input. 

Learn more:

• Equipment Capabilities

• Drawbar-attached implement measurements

• Hitch-attached implement measurements 

• Vehicle measurements

What do I get with Updated Measurements?

Increased Accuracy for Obstacle and Geofence Detection

Vehicle measurements can now be configured more accurately in vMC. This is important when a tractor has fixed equipment installed, such as weights, fuel tanks, brackets, or other attachments.

The system uses vehicle measurements for both obstacle detection and geofence detection. If a fixed object is attached to the vehicle, the vehicle measurements should be updated so the system correctly understands the space the vehicle occupies.

This helps prevent the obstacle detection system from incorrectly treating part of the tractor or a fixed attachment as an obstacle.

Learn more: Vehicle Measurements

Fewer Geofence Pauses for Center Trailing Section Implements

Some implements have a center trailing section, so their actual shape is more accurate as a ⊤ than a large rectangle, □.

With the updated measurement system, these implements can now be represented correctly which helps prevent unnecessary geofence pauses when the system previously thought part of the implement was outside the geofence, even though the actual implement was still inside the geofence.

Learn more: Equipment Capabilities

Implement without Center Trailing Distance

Implement with Center Trailing Distance

Support for Ignoring Overhanging Obstacles (Coming Soon)

The updated measurements allow the system to better understand the height of the implement and which areas are actually part of the tractor and implement path.

Previously, obstacles above the implement and outside of the vehicle’s collision box could be treated the same as obstacles directly in the tractor’s path. With the updated measurements, the system can better determine whether an obstacle is actually in the equipment’s travel path.

This can help reduce unnecessary obstacle detection pauses caused by objects that are above the implement but not actually in the collision path, such as overhanging tree branches.

OD Zone - Old Measurements

OD Zone - New Measurements

Support for Navigating Narrow Areas with Folded Implements (Coming Soon)

For implements that can fold, the system will be able to use a folded width when the implement reports that its wings are folded.

Previously, the obstacle detection system would continue treating the implement like it was fully unfolded, even when the wings were folded. With updated measurements, the system can use the narrower folded width when applicable.

This allows the tractor to navigate through narrower areas without pausing for obstacles that would only matter if the implement were unfolded. This is especially useful when moving through tight paths, tree lines, lanes, gates, or other areas with obstacles on both sides of the vehicle.

Learn more: Equipment Capabilities

OD Zone - Old Measurements

OD Zone - New Measurements

Future Support for Front-Mounted Implements

The updated measurement system also gives us a better foundation for front-mounted implements and attachments. This could include removable weight blocks, seeder tanks, front-mounted mowers, or other front-mounted equipment.

Measurement Guides

Use the guide that best matches the equipment you are setting up:

• Drawbar-attached implement measurements: [link]
• Hitch-attached implement measurements: [link]
• Vehicle measurements: [link]
• Equipment Capabilities: [link]