Monarch Tractor launches fully electric autonomous tractor

Monarch Tractor claims to have developed the world’s first fully electric, driver optional, smart tractor integrated on a single platform. The company says it already has secured several hundred farms as preliminary customers.

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40 hp continuous power

The tractor’s electric drivetrain is capable of providing 40 hp (30 kW) of continuous power and short duration peak power up to 70 hp (55 kW). The Monarch Tractor also serves as a 3-in-1 electrification tool operating not only as a tractor, but with extra storage acts as an ATV, and has the capabilities to perform as a powerful generator in the field.

Operate with or without driver

The tractor can operate with or without a driver. The company utilises autonomous hardware and software technology to provide driver-assist and driver-optional operations. The tractor can perform pre-programmed tasks without a driver or an operator can use Monarch’s interactive automation features including Gesture and Shadow modes to have the tractor follow a worker on the job.

The Monarch Tractor is equipped with safety features including roll and collision prevention, vision-based Power Take Off (PTO) safety and 360° cameras.

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The Monarch Tractor also serves as a 3-in-1 electrification tool operating not only as a tractor, but with extra storage acts as an ATV, and has the capabilities to perform as a powerful generator in the field. – Photo: Monarch Tractor

Real-time implement adjustments

The machine collects and analyzes over 240GB of crop data every day it operates in the field. According to the manufacturer, it can work with farmers’ current implements as well as the next generation of smart implements.

Sensors and imaging are processed to provide critical data points that can be used for real-time implement adjustments as well as long term yield estimates, current growth stages and other plant/crop health metrics.

Machine learning

Utilising machine learning, Monarch Tractor says it is able to digest this data and provide long-term analysis of field health, improving accuracy the longer it runs. The data collected is securely stored in a Monarch cloud.

Via a smartphone or personal device, users receive tractor alerts, updates on current micro-weather conditions, detailed operations reports, data collection, analysis, and storage for more efficient farm planning.

Monarch Tractor has a starting price of $ 50,000. Shipping will commence in Fall 2021.