8R Autonomy vs Bakus
Two autonomous tractor machines, one verified table. Every figure below is sourced and dated; vendor claims are labelled and kept apart from independent results.
Autonomy retrofit for the 8R tractor — supervised driverless tillage at scale. Deere's flagship autonomy moved to the second-generation kit on the 9RX at CES 2025; the second-gen kit retrofits MY2020.5+ 8R/8RX.
Best for: Very large arable operations already standardised on John Deere and Operations Center.Fully electric autonomous straddle robot for vineyards from Reims-based VitiBot, majority-owned by tractor maker SDF Group since 2022 — 75 kWh battery, ~10 h work autonomy, modular tools for soil work, mowing and spraying; 50+ units working in European vineyards.
Best for: Champagne-style narrow-row and mid-width vineyards replacing tractor passes with quiet, zero-exhaust autonomous soil work — including steep parcels (up to 45% slope).| 8R Autonomy Verified 2026-07-16 | Bakus Verified 2026-07-16 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Task | Autonomous tractor | Autonomous tractor |
| Autonomy | Fully autonomous | Fully autonomous |
| Country of origin | United States | France |
| Availability | Pilot / limited | Available now |
| EU market | Pending | CE-marked |
| Lead time | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Last verified | 2026-07-16 | 2026-07-16 |
| Specifications | ||
| Power source | Diesel, 410 hp (8R 410) | 100% electric — 75 kWh in 4 Li-ion batteries |
| Required tractor power | Is the tractor (up to 410 hp) | Is the vehicle (four electric wheel motors, straddle frame) |
| Dimensions | Standard 8R chassis | Not disclosed |
| Weight | ~15,000 kg | Not disclosed |
| Min farm size | 400 ha | 10 ha |
| Productivity | Field-dependent; 24 h duty capable | ~10 h work per charge; 0–80% recharge in 2 h; operating cost <€2/h (vendor) |
| Max speed | 42 km/h (road) | Not disclosed |
| Sensors | 6 stereo camera pairs · 360° obstacle detection | Dual RTK-GPS · two inertial units for topography · 12 perimeter mechanical emergency-stop detectors · remote e-stop |
| Price & model | ||
| Price (EUR) | Not disclosed | €120,000–180,000 |
| Native price | Not disclosed | from €120,000; ~€180,000 full option (fast charger, high-capacity batteries, tools) |
| Business model | Subscription autonomy on owned/leased 8R (US pilot) | Buy via VitiBot direct sales force and growing dealer network (SDF distribution backing) |
| Ongoing cost | Not disclosed — subscription, region-dependent | Battery pack life-cycle; tool wear parts; electricity (<€2/h vendor figure) |
| Key outcome | ||
| Best verified result | Operator supervision 1 supervisor/several · vendor | Operating energy cost <€2 per hour electricity · vendor |
| EU context | ||
| CE marking | Not filed for EU autonomous operation | CE marked |
| Machinery Regulation | EU autonomous approval not yet in place | Series product on the EU market; conformity maintained under the EU machinery regime with SDF Group industrial backing |
| CAP subsidy | Not applicable pending EU availability | Electric, zero-exhaust operation supports CAP eco-scheme and herbicide-reduction (mechanical under-vine weeding) goals |
"—" means the manufacturer has not disclosed the figure; we never estimate silently. Model either machine's payback with your own numbers on its ROI calculator page.