John Deere Rolls Out SmartDetect™ on Select Wheel Loaders

• Providing enhanced object detection on the jobsite, SmartDetect improves situational awareness to help operators work confidently.
• John Deere offers SmartDetect Field Kits for select utility-class and production-class loaders.

MOLINE, IL (September 24, 2024) – Expanding its portfolio of jobsite safety solutions and technology offerings, John Deere announces SmartDetect for select utility-class and production-class loaders. Building upon the jobsite-proven John Deere advanced object detection and vision solutions, utilizing a combination of cameras, radar and machine learning tools, SmartDetect technology is designed to enhance overall situational awareness, providing informed visibility to an operator's surroundings.

"SmartDetect is a crucial addition to our portfolio of precision construction technology solutions, designed to help operators confidently navigate and maximize productivity on busy construction sites," said Katie Voelliger, Product Marketing Manager at John Deere. "Safety is a shared responsibility, and we're excited to continue developing solutions that empower operators to work more safely and effectively."

Prioritizing operator visibility, perception, and awareness, SmartDetect combines cameras and machine learning to help give operators a better view of their surroundings. SmartDetect utilizes the machine's integrated digital cameras and a dedicated rearview high-resolution monitor to supplement operator's jobsite visibility. The stereo camera on the rear of the machine enables depth perception to identify and classify known objects, further improving awareness.

The SmartDetect system alerts operators when an object enters the machine's projected travel path and provides unique detection alerts for the operator, as well as people in the camera's field of view. With this advanced perception system, visual cues and bounding boxes are shown to the operator, helping to distinguish and highlight any obstacle type. By identifying fixed or moving objects such as people, poles, structures or other machinery, vision technology provides critical information to the operator.

"Our customers continue to tell us technology solutions that assist operators in identifying the most valued asset on their jobsites, their people, is an area of high importance to them," said Nathan Demski, Jobsite Safety Product Manager, John Deere. "Operators work long days and it's not easy for them to remain at the peak of situational awareness throughout the day," he said. "SmartDetect is another tool in the toolbox that they can use to help improve their confidence and be more aware of what's around them on the jobsite."