How over-regulating hinders autonomous farming technology

According to Western Growers, it is Arizona that is the new hub for businesses in autonomous farming technology. “Arizona has become the hub for dozens of autonomous vehicle companies, including Uber, Waymo and Lyft”, Communications Manager Michelle Rivera of Western Growers points out. “This, in turn, has laid the groundwork for the use of autonomous vehicles for agriculture.”

Petition by Monarch Tractor denied

In June last year, California’s Occupational Safety & Health Standards Board (OSHSB) denied a petition by Monarch Tractor, producer of electric autonomous tractors, to amend the state labour code that would ‘allow for the use of driver-optional tractors without a human operator stationed at the vehicular controls within a strict set of safety guidelines’.

The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, decided that there wasn’t enough evidence to determine if autonomous equipment was safe enough. In 2019, a similar petition, brought forward by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers, was also denied by Cal/OSHA for many of the same reasons.

California ‘at risk of losing its competitive edge’

Walt Duflock, Vice President of Innovation for Western Growers, emphasises that while Arizona embraces this technology, California is at risk of losing its competitive edge by evading it and pushing companies to Arizona.

“The way I see it, California may have walked away from thousands of great paying, high-tech jobs in the motor vehicle industry generally and the agriculture industry specifically”, Duflock says. “We’re missing out on jobs that support the design, development, sales and maintenance of equipment, even when California still has a lead in the early R&D stages for many of the new autonomous vehicle companies.”

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Autonomous farming technology a necessity

Experts see the Cal/OSHA decision as a step backward for agriculture in California. Autonomous farming technology, such as autonomous tractors and ag robotics are seen as a necessary part of feeding a growing population in the face of labour shortages, rising input costs, fewer resources and increasing environmental concerns.

Joani Woelfel, President at the Far West Equipment Dealers Association (FWEDA) – an advocacy group for equipment dealers in the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming – called the decision of Cal/OSHA ‘A significant setback in deploying real-world solutions to improve worker safety, increase productivity and adapt emerging technology’.

Autonomous John Deere ready for large-scale production

Manufacturers are currently rolling out fully autonomous tractor models, including John Deere that is ready for large-scale production and will have its autonomous tractor available to farmers later this year, the FWEDA points out.

But Monarch Tractor’s CEO Praveen Penmetsa says the decision does not change current regulations in the US. “There are already autonomous farming technologies operating on farms across the country. Monarch Tractor’s petition aimed to make the adoption of autonomous technologies on the farm easier, faster, and with less paperwork for farmers.”

Monarch and Cal/OSHA are still collaborating. Through a temporary experimental variance – in effect since the summer of 2021 – Monarch Tractor works with Cal/OSHA and agricultural producers to gather data in support of the conclusion that autonomous tractors provide the same level of safety as tractors driven by people.

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Safety data for automated tractors

Cal/OSHA says that the experience and knowledge gained by completing the experimental variance process will provide valuable safety data for automated tractors and benefit the eventual drafting of regulations for self-driving agricultural equipment.

The variance applies to three Monarch tractors at two sites. “The rest of our 55 tractors are in operation at customer sites, under conditions compliant with California law regarding autonomous operations”, Monarch tells Future Farming. “California growers can use Monarch’s autonomy features by following the Monarch Tractor Safety Procedures in a field where people aren’t present.”

Monarch expects that overtime more companies will come to market with autonomous tractors “But they will also be looking to Monarch to license our technology. We currently have this in place with our partners at CNH Industrial and we are open to expanding this.” CNH Industrial is an Italian-American vehicle maker which owns a minority stake in Monarch Tractor.

Monarch Tractor says it continues to work closely with Cal/OSHA to clarify regulations, and it will also establish safety processes with key milestones for other tech providers to follow specifically in farm environments where autonomous farming equipment is expected to work in close proximity to farm workers.

The potential of autonomous tractors

Currently, Monarch’s customers are primarily located in California “But we plan to expand our footprint to other states”, Monarch emphasises. “The potential of autonomous tractors stands to benefit farmers across the country and globe. From labour productivity, to increased safety, and farm profitability, autonomous solutions like that of Monarch Tractor will elevate farming to new heights.”

Monarch utilises autonomous and robotics hardware and software technology to provide driver-assist and driver-optional operations. One operator can manage a fleet of up to 8 electric tractors from anywhere.

The electric Monarch MK-V tractor became available in December last year. It combines electrification, automation, and data analysis. “It will help farmers reduce their carbon footprint, improve field safety, streamline farming operations, and increase their bottom lines”, Monarch says.

Adapted to strict rules and regulations, the 40HP MK-V has several safety features, including rollover protection, collision prevention, vision-based Power Take Off (PTO) safety, and 360° cameras to keep operations running smoothly and employees safe, whether the tractor is being driven or performing driverless tasks.

“We have seen incredible interest in the MK-V tractor from small and large farms alike across vineyards, orchards, berries, and dairy farms”, Monarch says.

Autonomy a ‘major growth area’

But at present, the use of autonomous farming technology on farms in California remains limited by the current legislation. “At a time when the agricultural industry in California is facing labour shortages, increased costs of doing business, water shortages and environmental concerns, California needs to ensure the success of the agriculture industry by welcoming innovation”, says Walt Duflock.

“California is at risk of losing its competitive edge by evading it and pushing companies to Arizona. It makes sense, because the market is there, and the Arizona market is a lot friendlier for the companies developing it. Autonomy is coming. It’s a major growth area and tech driver and will push the industry forward. California can only lead if it doesn’t over-regulate.”