Californian robot EV-tractor pioneer considers EU head office in Antwerp

The Californian Monarch Tractor wants to conquer the European market from Belgium and, therefore, intends to build a new head office there. The pioneer in self-driving electric tractors is counting on the financial support of Flemish government investor PMV. With the Welfare Fund established as a recovery vehicle, PMV invested substantially in the American company.

The company has decided to develop its European activities from Flanders – probably Antwerp. The good logistics options and the existing technological knowledge are assets. It is also essential that the factory can be built quickly.

Former Opel site

According to the financial newspaper De Tijd, the project includes an assembly factory in or near the NextGen District in the port of Antwerp. This business park on the site of the former Opel Antwerp car factory focuses mainly on ‘green’ and innovative companies.

Monarch Tractor is famous for its ‘smart’ tractors. The brand produces the world’s first fully electric tractor, for which the driver is optional. The tractor can drive and perform tasks autonomously thanks to eight cameras, precise GPS infrastructure, and robotics.

Environmentally friendly

An electric tractor is better for the environment than its diesel variant with exhaust fumes. Another advantage is that the onboard computer can store enormous amounts of data from the sensors, which can be analyzed using artificial intelligence. The vehicle also offers video collection and emissions reduction tracking. The MK-V gives farmers valuable data for improved decision-making regarding overall farm operations.

Self-driving tractors can be helpful for activities where the tractor moves slowly, such as weeding and mowing lawns, especially for large plots. Monarch’s autonomous tractor technology makes sustainable farming economically and ecologically superior.

Colruyt experiment

In May, retail group Colruyt announced it had launched an experiment with such a self-driving tractor in Deinze. The Monarch MK-V, as the American vehicle is called, would drive around the Wolfcarius apple nursery in Gottem, near Deinze, for a week.

The vehicle would mow, spray, and transport fruit in an orchard. One week later, it would be deployed to a Colruyt Group vineyard in Frasnes-lez-Anvaing, where it would mow the grass between the narrow corridors of the vines.

Like farmers all over the world, Europe is facing significant labor shortages and climate-related challenges. Farms are struggling to find workers for time-sensitive, repetitive operations, but the sector is also expected to do its part in reducing carbon emissions.