Remote Diagnostics to Help Repair Complex Agricultural Machinery
Engineers at the Krasnokamskiy remontno-mekhanicheskiy zavod have developed an IT solution that allows farmers to repair equipment under the supervision of experts from the manufacturing plant.
One of the biggest challenges farmers face when operating sophisticated modern machinery is that breakdowns during planting or harvesting seasons often require highly specialized technicians familiar with a specific machine or component. Yet speed of service is especially critical during those periods. Even when equipment remains under warranty, a specialist still needs time to travel to the farm. Transporting agricultural machinery to a service center and back takes even longer. Russian industrial developers are now addressing that problem with digital technology.
Experts Can See Everything
Krasnokamskiy remontno-mekhanicheskiy zavod (KRMZ) has been manufacturing forage-harvesting equipment since 2003. Now, agricultural operators will be able to service and repair machinery under the direct supervision of experts from the manufacturer’s service center.
To support that process, the company developed Avatar-tekhnologiya (Avatar Technology), a system designed for remote diagnostics of agricultural equipment. Before beginning maintenance work, a mechanic puts on a specialized headset equipped with a high-resolution camera, powerful flashlight, microphone, headphones, antenna and laser pointer. Once work begins, multiple experts at the plant’s service center – repair technicians, engineers, technologists and calibration specialists – can see the machinery in real time alongside the mechanic. They communicate with the technician live and provide instructions throughout the repair process, while the mechanic keeps both hands free because the headset is mounted on the head. In effect, KRMZ specialists see the machinery through the eyes of the person performing the work and participate directly in the repair process.
Repairs Anywhere in the World
Remote repair of agricultural machinery is an example of how Russian digital technologies originally developed for other industries can become valuable tools for agriculture. Initially, Avatar-tekhnologiya creator Andrey Vereshchagin, an IT engineer from Perm Krai, developed the domestic assisted-reality headset for repairing, configuring and maintaining high-tech CNC machines. Later, however, he recognized its strong potential for agricultural applications.
The system now makes it possible to service and repair agricultural equipment virtually anywhere in the world – whether at a specialized center or directly in the field – as long as an internet connection is available. At the same time, the headset records the entire workflow, including comments from remote experts, and farmers later receive the video files.
“For a farm operating several machines, this means saved money that can be redirected toward development. The headset records the entire expert workflow on video. The farm receives clear instructions explaining how to configure, install or diagnose specific equipment. Those videos can later be used to train employees,” technology developer Andrey Vereshchagin emphasized.
A New Customer-Service Model
Russian agricultural machinery manufacturers are therefore changing the very principles of customer support. They are beginning to sell not only equipment, but also digital support for the entire operating lifecycle of that equipment. The model benefits all sides. Farmers receive higher-quality repairs with the assistance of qualified specialists, reducing downtime and improving efficiency during the field season. Manufacturers gain remote access to their equipment directly in the field. Engineers at production plants can now receive feedback from customer mechanics, identify weak points in machine designs and rapidly improve and modernize them.
Similar systems are already expanding across Russia. RSM Agrotronik, developed by Rostselmash, remotely monitors operational processes in agricultural equipment supplied to farms and helps optimize operating modes while also enabling real-time machine management. Integrated onboard hardware and software allow the manufacturer to receive all necessary information about each machine.
Avatar-tekhnologiya could become an important part of a broader remote-monitoring ecosystem for Russian agricultural machinery. Such technologies may prove especially valuable for exports, particularly in countries where dealer networks remain underdeveloped. In those situations, remote support could help manufacturers meet warranty obligations more effectively.
