ROBOT TRACTORS

Disclosed is an electro-optical and microcomputer based method and apparatus for automatically guiding tractors and other farm machinery for the purpose of automatic crop planting, tending and harvesting. A target is preferably located at one boundary of the field which serves as a reference. The position of the machinery in the field is determined by electro-optically sensing the target with a sensor located on the machinery. A desired trajectory for the machinery is then determined and the machinery is steered automatically along this trajectory.