Lost, but reconnected virtually – AEF ISOBUS Plugfest is back and better than ever

ABSTRACT

How do you get a group of ag software engineers excited? Most engineers have similar traits. They want to provide new and better designs, and the best possible products. So, you put them in a room together, and let them connect their software and hardware to check if they function as intended.The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) came up with a way to make that happen. The event is called Plugfest, and it provides a chance for friends and competitors alike to come from around the globe to put aside that competition to work together for the good of their employers and customers. Started in 2001, Plugfest began with a small group of engineers who had the intent of ensuring that manufacturers of tractors, implements and components were interpreting the ISOBUS standard (ISO 11783) in the same way. Nowadays, more than 200 participants coming together ensuring that every testing attendee has a chance to connect with everyone else at the event. And then, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped all joint activities and the AEF had to cancel the already scheduled Plugfest events. Recreating the Plugfest “connection” became a challenge for the whole industry. In the absence of physical contact, the AEF and Vector discussed new approaches. In a joint experimental project, the possibility was created to carry out such Plugfests "virtually". The principle based on "tunnelling" of the physical CAN communication between ISOBUS devices present at two different locations, by means of the internet. Many technical issues such as delays due to long distances were identified and addressed. Also, organizational issues like strict company-specific internet policies had to be considered as well as human interaction between the different Plugfest parties. Based on a cloud approach most aspects could be satisfied. Pilot Plugfests of different sizes and distances have shown the chosen approach works. © 2022, VDI Verlag GMBH. All rights reserved.