Prepare for Automation and Autonomy With AEM’s Communications and Incident Response Framework

Share:

11/12/2026

As automation and autonomous technologies become more prevalent across the non-road equipment industry, manufacturers need to be prepared for how these technologies operate, and how organizations communicate and respond when an incident occurs. 

The Automation, Autonomy, Communications and Incident Response Framework, from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Futures Council and its Autonomy & Automation Vision Team, provides a key resource for equipment manufacturers that are navigating this increasingly important area of the industry.  

The framework is designed to help equipment manufacturers: 

  • Prepare before an incident occurs. The framework encourages organizations to evaluate response readiness in advance rather than developing processes on the fly. 
  • Coordinate communications. Consistent messaging can reduce confusion and misinterpretation. 
  • Build relationships. Proactive engagement with various industry stakeholders can strengthen understanding around automated and autonomous technologies. 

"For manufacturers developing or deploying increasingly automated equipment, preparation can play an important role in responding effectively when unexpected situations arise," said AEM Senior Director of Ag Services Austin Gellings, who oversaw the AEM Futures Council Automation & Autonomy Vision Team. "Establishing clear processes and considering communications needs before an incident occurs can help organizations approach those situations with greater consistency and confidence. 

The framework also reflects a broader reality for the equipment manufacturing industry – as technology evolves, the processes surrounding that technology must evolve with it. Automation and autonomy present significant opportunities, but they also require manufacturers to consider how new capabilities affect their existing approaches to safety, communications, and organizational preparedness. 

By providing an industry-focused resource on these emerging considerations, AEM is helping its members prepare for a future where automated and autonomous technologies play an increasingly prominent role. 

AEM members and industry stakeholders can review the Automation, Autonomy, Communications and Incident Response Framework to learn more and consider how its guidance could support their own preparedness efforts. 

Learn More 

For more information on the AEM Futures Council, visit www.aem.org/futurescouncil, reach out to AEM’s John Rozum at jrozum@aem.org, or contact your Account Success Advisor.   

AEM Updates Agriculture & Forestry Construction, Mining & Utility

For more AEM news and updates, subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor.

Related Articles

Beyond the Hype: New AEM Whitepaper Details How Automation and Autonomy Will Reshape Non-Road Equipment

Over the next five to 10 years, autonomy in non-road equipment applications is expected to develop incrementally and through use-case-specific automation, rather than a single...

2026 Midterm Elections: What the New Congress Means for Equipment Manufacturing

Election Day may be behind us, but the full picture of the 120th Congress is still coming into focus. Members of AEM’s federal advocacy team share their firsthand perspectives...

Registration Now Open for 2027 Commodity Classic in New Orleans

Registration is now open for Commodity Classic 2027, bringing together farmers, agricultural leaders, equipment manufacturers, researchers, and industry organizations for one of...

Q4 Ag and Construction Equipment Trade Reports Are Now Available

As equipment manufacturers prepare for the year ahead, understanding how products and components trade flows can provide important context for strategic planning. AEM’s Q4...

AEM Brings Equipment Manufacturing Priorities Before Canadian Parliament

AEM brought the voice of Canada’s equipment manufacturing industry directly to Parliament Hill last week, highlighting the importance of trade certainty, global competitiveness,...

View all AEM Updates