It's a hulking, snarling machine. It's taller than a man and towers over the fields before it. It also communicates with both satellites and computers. Though it may sound intimidating, this mechanical beast isn't part of a science-fiction novel. It'sreal, and it's actually designed to protect the environment while saving farmers money. The Spider is a prototype tractor being tested at New Mexico State University (NMSU). It's not the first ever built, but its infrared cameras, global positioning system, variable rate controller and computer technology certainly make it one of the most advanced.
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