Two years ago, Monarch Tractor revealed the world’s first fully electric, driver optional, smart tractor integrated on a single platform — one that would combine automation, machine learning, and data analysis with the hope of increasing labor productivity and safety while also maximizing yields. Today, at an event held at the company headquarters and manufacturing facility in Livermore, California, Monarch showcased the first MK-V tractors coming off the Founder Series production line, officially making them commercially available to growers.
Constellation Brands, a wine and craft spirits producer and the largest beer importer in the U.S., is Monarch’s first customer, buying the first six Founder Series MK-V tractors. After delivery of MK-V tractors to Constellation Brands, additional shipments to farms and other companies will take place.
The MK-V tractor is a revolutionary machine and has won numerous awards since it was first unveiled in December 2020, including being named to the 2022 CNBC Disruptor 50 list, recognized as a CES 2022 Innovation Award Honoree, and awarded “Overall AgTech Solution of the Year” in the 2021 AgTech Breakthrough Awards.
The pilot tests of this tractor took place in spring 2021 at California’s Wente Vineyards. Utilizing a Monarch MK-V in place of a comparable diesel tractor is the equivalent emission reduction of removing 14 passenger vehicles from the road. The zero-emission Monarch Tractor could make meaningful emissions reductions in agriculture, while simultaneously helping to solve numerous challenges farmers face today, such as labor shortages, safety concerns, increased customer scrutiny for sustainable practices, and government regulations.
To charge the machine, it takes 5 to 6 hours with an 80 amp charger and 10 to 12 hours with a 40 amp. The expectation from the company is that one charge can last more than 10 hours. Many speculate that the tractor will be ideal for specialty crop farming operations or smaller-scale production.
According to prior news releases from the company, the MK-V was intended to be commercially available in fall 2021, but for reasons that Monarch chose not to share, the release was about a year delayed.
According to the company, key features of the MK-V include:
- Renewable technology: The MK-V is 100 percent electric and has zero tailpipe emissions. It also serves as a 3-in-1 electrification tool, operating as a tractor or utility vehicle during operation, as well as a powerful electric generator in the field.
- Driver optional: Monarch utilizes the latest autonomous hardware and software technology, including the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI platform, to provide driver-assist and driver-optional operations. The Monarch MK-V can perform pre-programmed tasks without a driver, or an operator can use the Monarch interactive automation features including Shadow mode to have the Monarch Tractor follow a worker on the job.
- Unprecedented safety: The MK-V is packed with safety features including rollover and collision prevention, vision-based Power Take Off (PTO) safety, and 360-degree cameras to keep operations running smoothly and employees safe, day or night.
- Deep learning and sensing suite: The MK-V collects and analyzes crop data daily and can process data from current and next-generation implements equipped with sensors and imaging. This data can be used for real-time implement adjustments, long-term yield estimates, current growth stages and other plant/crop health metrics.
- Smart Device Operation: Through a smartphone or personal device, MK-V users receive tractor status alerts, detailed operations reports, and data collection, analysis, and storage
for more efficient farm planning. - Powerful: The Monarch electric drivetrain is capable of providing 40 hp of continuous power and short duration peak power up to 75 hp in a small footprint for multi-purpose usage.
“This is a momentous day for Monarch Tractor that has been years in the making,” said Praveen Penmetsa, co-founder and CEO of Monarch Tractor, which was founded in 2018. “Our team has worked tirelessly and relentlessly with a mission to make farming more profitable and sustainable. We’re proud to see our commitment to technological innovation and sustainable solutions culminate in celebrating our first tractor off the production line, which, I might add, is powered by renewable energy.”
The base price for the Monarch MK-V Tractor is $68,000.
