Furio Oldani
346,800 attendees, 63,100 of whom came from over 150 countries, gathered in Bologna between November 6 and 10 to admire, touch, and, in many cases, purchase over 60,000 products, including machinery and components showcased by more than 1,750 exhibitors. These certified figures confirm that the Bologna exposition of agricultural mechanics is not only a global benchmark event but also a key moment to reflect on potential technological advancements in agricultural mechanization, regardless of market conditions. The latter, in this case, were and still are not particularly promising due to an unfavorable economic situation. Nevertheless, the exhibition halls were far from lacking in novelties, especially if one includes products already on the market but subject to significant upgrades or range expansions driven by technical and performance revisions. Most manufacturers opted to improve tried-and-tested solutions rather than launch entirely new designs. However, when innovation was prioritized over immediate business returns, new proposals were not in short supply.
In this regard, it can be said that no previous edition of Eima has featured as many innovative proposals as the one showcased this year in Bologna. A wealth of mechatronic and digital solutions clearly outlined the future direction of the sector.
The Future Lies in Automation
Agricultural machinery will become increasingly automated and autonomous, operating “24/7” and remotely piloted by technicians who will oversee not only individual sites but also entire fleets. Mechatronics will replace mechanics, sensors will take over human tasks, and IT systems will govern everything, signaling the end of romanticized rural traditions where farmers were seen as laborers perpetually burdened by physical toil.Farmers of the future will be highly skilled professionals, akin to white-coated scientists, tasked with feeding billions through industrialized agriculture and livestock management. However, it remains uncertain what energy sources these systems will rely on. For low-power applications, up to 50 kilowatts (approximately 70 horsepower), and for farm-level machinery, it is almost certain that internal combustion engines will be replaced by electric motors. The same cannot be said when higher performance is required. This uncertainty was reflected in the exhibition, where engines powered by a wide variety of alternative fuels were displayed, though none could be definitively identified as a diesel replacement. It is likely that diesel will not be replaced by a single alternative but rather by a range of solutions, each adopted or rejected based on surrounding conditions and prevailing socio-political inputs.
Eima 2026 will have the task of confirming or revising this trend.
Title: Eima 2024, the event of innovation
Translation with ChatGPT
