Hexagon’s Dual Antenna GNSS Solution Drives Agricultural Autonomy

The SMART7-SI + SMART2 antennas provide reliable heading and positioning for static or slow-moving agricultural vehicles. An integrated inertial measurement unit (IMU) delivers high-accuracy heading information with fewer sensors and a simplified architecture.

System benefits include:

• Improved safety — ensuring robots do not venture outside a designated perimeter
• High-level accuracy — global PPP corrections are available continuously via satellite or WiFi
• Consistent uptime — redundant systems ensure connectivity in the event of an outage

SPAN technology maintains reliable positioning during GNSS interruptions, which can occur under tree canopies or within orchards. It also allows repositioning of the reference point on the vehicle, saving integration time and increasing accuracy. Reliable network RTK corrections are available regionally through Smart Net+ NRTK.

The Dual Antenna System

Hexagon’s NovAtel antennas work together to deliver reliable performance and positioning — even when consistent movement is not guaranteed.

The SMART7-SI antenna’s integrated IMU uses terrain-compensated positioning and precise pitch and roll data. Users may also reposition the reference point on the vehicle, saving integration time and increasing positional accuracy.

The SMART7-SI includes:

• Multiple input/outputs to suit a wide range of integration requirements.
• ROS™ (Robot Operating System) integration to accelerate software development and system integration.
• PTP (Precision Time Protocol) enhances sensor synchronisation and logging accuracy whilst eliminating extra hardware dependencies.

The SMART2 antenna:

• Provides static and low-speed heading support, reducing operator involvement.
• Computes highly accurate headings relative to the SMART7-SI, even when stationary.
• Increases signal robustness and redundancy for mission-critical operations through multi-constellation, dual-frequency support.

Taken together, the system ensures reliable performance and consistent positioning in uneven field conditions and across different environments. The system is also designed to scale.

Dual Antenna GNSS System Accelerates Ag Robot Development

Whether you're working on a new build or need to upgrade an existing fleet, Hexagon’s NovAtel dual antenna system offers seamless customisation, without the need to replace hardware. AgXeed, a company at the forefront of autonomous agricultural technology, uses Hexagon’s dual antenna system in its autonomous equipment.

AgXeed machines are utilised across the world, from apple orchards in Canada to the open plains of Australia. The company says the system has improved safety, efficiency, and operational adaptability and autonomy, and it is well-received by farmers globally.

Peter Robinson, Regional Head of Sales for the UK, North America and Australia, said, “It’s taken 20 years for autosteer to become mainstream globally, and that was a very long and painful process. But autonomy has accelerated that very quickly.”

GOFAR Tour 2026

“Advancing autonomy in agriculture depends on a strong innovation ecosystem,” said Bernardo de Castro, Vice President of Strategy with Hexagon’s Agriculture Division. “Initiatives such as FIRA’s GOFAR Tour create opportunities for companies to test and demonstrate technologies in real farming conditions, helping the ecosystem validate, refine, and scale reliable autonomy for the future of agriculture.”

GOFAR has tour stops scheduled throughout 2026 in key agricultural regions around the globe. In addition to live robot demonstrations, tour stops offer business matchmaking opportunities and grower discussion panels.

2026 Tour Stop Schedule

Related Reading

Fields of the Future: Autonomy and the New Era of Global Farming

How Hexagon Keeps Autonomous Equipment on Track

Hexagon | NovAtel Delivers Complete Positioning Solutions for the Agtech Industry