California Farmers Push for Green Light on Autonomous Tractors
California farm advocates say they’re closer than ever to changing a decades-old rule that’s kept autonomous tractors off state farms.
Even though California entrepreneurs are leading the way in farm robotics, a regulation written back in 1977 still requires someone to be sitting at the controls whenever a tractor is running. That rule was created long before driverless vehicles were even imagined, and it’s made it tough for farmers to use the latest technology.
Bryan Little with the California Farm Bureau says the regulation is “obviously out of date.” He told Ag Alert, the Farm Bureau’s weekly publication, that something needs to change.
Last August, Cal/OSHA clarified that driverless tractors can be used when no workers are around. Advocates say that’s progress, but they’re still pushing for a full rule change.
Sonoma County farmer and Agtonomy CEO Tim Bucher says working with regulators has been key. “We want the same thing, which is worker safety,” he said.
The state’s standards board is expected to release a report soon outlining possible next steps for autonomous tractors in California.
