In the heart of America’s breadbasket, a bold experiment is underway that could redefine the future of farming. The Rural Autonomous Mobility Program (RAMP) in Kelly, Kansas, has embarked on the first serious project to run farm tractors autonomously on public roads. Developed in collaboration with Sabanto, a pioneer in autonomous custom farming and retrofit systems, RAMP is not just a technological leap but also a legal one, aiming to secure regulatory approval for such operations.
The United States, with its characteristic can-do attitude, is taking a significant step forward. The closest parallel to this initiative is the autonomous haulage of sugar beets in the U.S. sugar beet industry, where trucks have been tested to transport beets from field to factory without human intervention. However, the RAMP project is pushing boundaries further by venturing onto public roads, a domain where autonomous vehicles have faced considerable regulatory scrutiny.
The journey towards full autonomy in agriculture is still in its nascent stages, particularly within the fields themselves. Authorities and insurers remain cautious, and legislation for field robots is only beginning to take shape in a few countries. Japan is at the forefront, with the Ministry of Agriculture (MAFF) publishing national guidelines for autonomous agricultural machinery as early as 2017. These guidelines cover safety standards, user responsibilities, and risk assessments. In the European Union, efforts are underway to harmonize regulations with the new Machinery Regulation, set to come into force in January 2027, and the AI Act, which will be phased in until 2027. Both regulations refer to international standards such as ISO 18497 and ISO 25119, providing a baseline for field robots. However, road traffic remains a national matter, and no country has yet approved driverless tractors for public roads.
The contrast between in-field autonomy and road autonomy is stark. In California, for instance, regulators initially prohibited autonomous tractors at worksites under CAL/OSHA rules. A memo issued in 2025 clarified that driverless farm machines are allowed if no workers are present, highlighting the evolving nature of regulations in this domain.
The idea of autonomous tractors on public roads makes practical sense. Logistics is a significant bottleneck during planting and harvest seasons. Tractors, grain carts, and harvesters must move constantly, while seasonal labor is increasingly scarce. In the Netherlands, farmers are testing autonomous crop transport within the field under the NPPL program. Grain cart systems already demonstrate how autonomy can ease labor and reduce soil compaction. However, public roads present a different set of challenges.
Safety is the primary concern. Autonomous cars have struggled to gain regulatory trust, and the prospect of a 174 kW tractor driving at 50 km/h with a 30-ton trailer behind it raises significant safety questions. A more realistic first step might be an autonomous tractor that follows a combine with a human operator to the next field, ensuring supervision and the ability to intervene if necessary.
The RAMP project in Kansas is a testament to America’s bold approach to innovation. As the world watches, the outcomes of this initiative could pave the way for similar projects globally, reshaping the future of agricultural logistics and autonomy. The journey is fraught with challenges, but the potential benefits—improved efficiency, reduced labor demands, and enhanced safety—make it a venture worth pursuing.