In the spring of 1995 RINEX established links with progressive local farmers to provide them with yield mapping tools.  Yield monitors had just been installed on their combine harvesters, however they had no way of mapping these fields.  RINEX sourced the GPS receivers and developed the software to allow these farmers to see a yield map of their fields for the first time in their history of farming.  Continuing from this RINEX has enjoyed success in product development for the agricultural sector and claiming many “firsts” in the industry along the way.

Working with the local farmers in understanding their requirements it was evident that GPS technology could provide many engineering solutions for farming applications.  The single most dominant aspect was to be able to accurately guide a tractor in the field.

RINEX demonstrated to Australian farmers a computer guidance system, adapted from an aeroplane system, which could guide a tractor along a straight line between two points.  This system partially met their requirements, but fell a long way short of a practical solution as it did not cope with farming around fields as was predominant in Australian farming practices.

This was the catalyst to RINEX to develop their FARMTRAX system which comprised of a computer system with guidance software which would allow a farmer to work around fields, or in any formation.  In 1997 RINEX provided the first FARMTRAX system with “LOCK” guidance and a touch panel display.