Robotization struggles to scale up: Regulations slow agricultural progress
Agricultural robotization is advancing rapidly, but scaling up in field farming is complex. Regulations surrounding autonomous vehicles remain a major issue.
The question of whether robots will become commonplace in agriculture is no longer relevant. Robots are now a practical reality, with significant investments being directed toward their development and practical use. The next leap for robotization is in the field and greenhouses, with tasks ranging from weeding to mowing and harvesting.
These areas still present major challenges. The constantly changing field conditions make it difficult for autonomous machines, while the sector feels the need for these innovations due to labor shortages and declining availability of approved crop protection products.
Challenges in developing user-friendly field robots
Field robots have been in development for many years, with substantial global investment. Various models are now market-ready and commercially available, such as those for weeding or burning weeds. They work in practice, but modifications are often needed to make them more appealing to farmers. Widespread adoption faces two key obstacles: system usability and regulation.
While a tractor can be replaced with a robotic vehicle, it must also account for what’s happening behind it. If it doesn’t adapt to wet areas in a field or tools that require adjustment, a lot of time is still spent on supervision. Robots that replace both the tractor and attachments are often designed for just one or two specific tasks, making it economically challenging to justify the investment.
Rabobank identifies regulation as the primary reason robots have yet to take over fields. “European regulations for autonomous agricultural machinery are crucial for further commercialization,” noted RaboResearch, Rabobank’s research branch, in an analysis this summer. A significant issue with regulation is liability: what is allowed, and who is responsible and liable if something goes wrong?
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Regulations slow field robot scaling
For machinery manufacturers, regulations around autonomous vehicles present a significant challenge. The European Union introduced a new machinery regulation last year focused on the safety of autonomous agricultural machinery. Robots must operate safely within a predefined area and have a ‘supervisor’ who receives information and warnings, and can remotely start, stop, or secure the robot.
This new directive is a good step for machine safety, according to Dutch industry organization Fedecom, but it doesn’t clarify public road requirements. Fedecom represents manufacturers, importers, and dealers of agricultural machinery in the Netherlands.
Fields may fall under public road regulations
“In many places where robots operate, it’s unclear whether these are considered public roads,” says Ron Houweling, Technical Policy and Innovation Manager at Fedecom. “Field robots are now transported on a low-loader to the field, which is relatively safe, but even a field can be considered a public road if it’s not enclosed or marked.” Manufacturers are discussing these issues and lobbying at the European level for clear legislation.
How are robots insured?
Insurance company Interpolis, part of Achmea, insures a few dozen autonomous machines or robots. “We insure them in the same way as manually operated equipment,” says spokesperson Esther van der Tang, with liability and comprehensive coverage. This includes damage to others or their property, as well as machine defects within the first few years.
Interpolis anticipates that agricultural robot insurance will evolve in the coming years. Autonomous vehicles on private land or in barns currently operate at low speeds. “If development moves toward public roads and higher speeds, insurance may need to adjust to reflect the increased risk,” Van der Tang notes.
