What began as a connection between a Canadian startup and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln several years ago has grown into a southeast Nebraska operation developing cutting-edge autonomous farming technology.
This spring, PTx Trimble celebrated the grand opening of its engineering facility in Seward, marking the latest chapter in a partnership that started nearly a decade ago through the university’s industry engagement efforts.
When the company — then known as JCA Technologies, based in Winnipeg — was looking for a university partner in the Midwest, it considered several universities before choosing Nebraska, said Darcy Cook, PTx’s senior director of autonomous solutions.
“The reason we’re in Nebraska is the development of talent and expertise” that occurs at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, he said. “The engineering presence there is very strong. It’s a very good place to build this ecosystem.”
The connection began when the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development connected company leaders with the university, where they found expertise in agricultural engineering, robotics and autonomous systems.
The company was introduced to the research lab of Santosh Pitla, professor of biological systems engineering, whose work aligned closely with its autonomous farming technologies. Nebraska Innovation Campus and the university’s Industry Relations staff also helped connect the company with Career Services, research facilities and startup space at NIC.
PTx’s new Seward engineering center is staffed largely by Husker alumni and researchers developing autonomous technologies for tractors, tillage equipment and other agricultural machinery.
Pitla said he is proud to see Nebraska students emerging as leaders in developing autonomous technologies.
“This reinforces the importance of applied research that directly impacts industry and society,” he said. “When research, education and industry partnerships come together, students gain the opportunity to work on real-world challenges and eventually become leaders driving innovation forward.”
Pitla believes the partnership strengthens Nebraska’s growing reputation as a national hub for agricultural technology.
The heart of PTx’s technology is its OutRun system, a self-contained, retrofit autonomy kit that turns existing tractors into driverless machines. Originally launched as an autonomous grain cart solution, the platform is expanding to include autonomous tillage.
Combine operators or farm managers can completely plan and control the tractor’s paths, staging and unloading zones using an iPad interfacen in rural, low-coverage farming zones
“I don’t see autonomy as replacing labor,” said Josh Murman, a Husker alumnus and autonomous systems engineer with PTx. “I see it as giving producers the freedom to decide where their time is most valuable. There are always other jobs that need attention on the farm. This technology helps make that possible.”
OutRun is still in the early adopter phase. There are more than 30 systems installed, most of those in North America, Murman said.
“We’ve laid a lot of groundwork over the past year and a half, especially on getting our PTx dealers trained and attending trade shows like Farm Progress and giving on-farm demos,” said Murman, who grew up on a farm in the Hastings area, where he is testing the technology himself.
His work bridges the gap between software developers and farmers. Drawing on firsthand farming experience, he helps define new product features, validate field performance and ensure autonomous systems operate the way producers expect.
Murman said the technology is following an adoption curve similar to GPS guidance systems two decades ago.
“At first, people wonder why they would ever need it,” he said. “Then, they experience it on their own farm and begin to see how much time it gives back.”
That firsthand experience has been especially meaningful on his family’s operation. During harvest, the autonomous grain cart allows him to continue helping the farm while simultaneously testing and refining the technology he helped develop.
“It’s really come full circle,” he said. “I’m able to contribute to the family farm while working on technology that can benefit farmers everywhere.”
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Santosh Pitla
Professor
402-472-1413
Santosh Pitla biography
Josh Murman
PTx Autonomous Engineer
