U.S manufacturer Monarch Tractor have introduced what they describe as the world’s first fully electric, driver optional, smart tractor integrated on a single platform.

The company says the innovation addresses the issues faced by farmers of labour shortages, climate change concerns, and increasingly stringent environmental regulations by combining electrification, automation, machine learning, and data analysis. They also say they have secured several hundred working farms as preliminary customers.

To see some of the key features of the Monarch Tractor in action watch the below video:

Praveen Penmetsa, co-founder & CEO, Monarch Tractor said, "Monarch Tractor is ushering in the digital transformation of farming with unprecedented intelligence, technology and safety features.

"We have assembled a world-class team of farmers, engineers, and scientists to meet today’s farming demands and are empowering farmers by giving them intelligent tools to collect more predictive data to implement sustainable practices, better share their story and make more money. Hundreds of farmers have signed on to receive a Monarch Tractor and we look forward to delivering a new level of sustainability and efficiency to their existing farm operations."

The company says the unit has a starting price of $50,000 and can be reserved now. Shipping will commence in autumn 2021.

Carlo Mondavi, chief farming officer, at Monarch Tractor added, “As a fourth-generation farmer, I’ve seen firsthand the hazards that farming presents not just to workers, but to the environment as well. Monarch Tractor is moving farming toward a safer and sustainable future by eliminating harmful emissions, reducing the need for herbicides and keeping workers out of harm’s way with its driver-optional capabilities.”