Arnold NextG Blogspot: Drive-by-Wire – The Invisible Revolution in the Field

Mechanics are outdated – Control becomes digital Agricultural machinery has long been defined by robustness and mechanical control. But the next evolutionary step is happening elsewhere: in the control system. The paradigm shift is called Drive-by-Wire. Instead of mechanical linkages between operator and machine, digital signal paths take over. Electronics replace levers – software coordinates functions. This shift is not just a technical curiosity, but a foundational leap in safety, automation, and machine design.

"The path to autonomous machines leads through three stages: driver assistance systems, partial automation, and full autonomy – each based on safe digital control." – Bosch Engineering GmbH, White Paper “Automated Agricultural Machinery”, 2023

"Drive-by-wire is a prerequisite for software-defined machine architectures in agricultural systems. It enables the decoupling of human input and mechanical function – and paves the way for new levels of automation and flexibility." – TUM, ICRA 2025: Digital Engineering of Autonomous Offroad Systems

What Drive-by-Wire means Drive-by-Wire transmits all control commands electronically: steering, propulsion, braking, and implement functions. NX NextMotion doesn't just replace individual components, but provides a complete, certified control architecture – scalable from retrofitting kits to full production platforms.

• Fully electronic signal processing with deterministic execution
• Safety-by-design with redundant control paths (2x ECUs, 2oo3 sensors, dual actuators)
• Operable via API, joystick, tablet, or control station – onsite or remotely

• Real-time diagnostics, OTA-ready, cloud- and edge-compatible

The result: more control, more safety, and more flexibility for future machine concepts – from cabless tractors to AI-managed swarm fleets.

Decoupling the mechanical cabin from the control system also allows the development of entirely new types of machines: lightweight, modular, scalable – tailored to tasks, terrain, and farm size. This opens new opportunities for OEMs, start-ups, and custom machinery developers alike.

NX NextMotion: A digital control platform for agriculture Arnold NextG has created NX NextMotion, a drive-by-wire platform designed for agricultural use.

• Full replacement of mechanical controls with digital safety architecture
• Certified according to ISO 26262 (ASIL D), SIL3, ISO 21434 (cybersecurity)
• Modular for OEMs, retrofit solutions, and specialized machines

• Proven in field trials and public road tests (UNECE R79, FMVSS 126)

Thanks to open interfaces (CAN, LIN, Ethernet), NX NextMotion can be seamlessly integrated into existing machine architectures. It also allows flexible integration of third-party sensors, actuators, and software modules – a true enabler for automation and digital transformation in agtech.

Whether used in prototypes or as the core of a scalable production system, NX NextMotion is more than just a control unit – it’s the foundational infrastructure for autonomy in agricultural mobility.

"Digitalizing the control system is a prerequisite for modular automation in agriculture." – Fraunhofer IESE, 2023

Conclusion: The future of control is digital, safe, and modular Drive-by-Wire is not an optional add-on – it is the technological foundation of automation. Anyone aiming for autonomous functionality needs a control system that is fail-operational, updateable, and scalable in complexity.

NX NextMotion delivers this platform—safety-certified, cloud-compatible, fail-operational, and ready for the demands of modern agricultural technology..

We control what moves.

Live at AGRITECHNICA 2025, Hall 21/ Booth H05. Experience Drive-by-Wire in action: with NX NextMotion on the field, on the road, and in direct exchange with our engineering teams.