Discover 8 Advantages of Agricultural Robots in Precision Farming
Agricultural robots are advanced technological solutions that contribute to the transformation of the agricultural sector. Farmers increasingly rely on robots for their efficiency and precision in task execution. These autonomous machines provide numerous advantages, fostering increased productivity even in challenging and hazardous environments.
Advancements in Robotics Technology
The integration of satellite and drone technologies is driving the progress of robotics technology. Accessing data is becoming more cost-effective and scalable. Especially with the deployment of advanced satellites and drones equipped with enhanced sensing capabilities such as higher spatial and spectral resolutions.
Overall, the adoption of technology in the European region has increased in recent years in order to support sustainable agricultural practices, driven by increasing food demand and urbanisation. Governments globally are implementing policies to raise awareness on these topics and improve agricultural yields. For instance, the European Union is funding projects to transition from manual labour to advanced digitalisation of the agriculture sector. These initiatives are poised to propel the agricultural robots and mechatronics market forward, indicating a growth in the global agricultural robots and mechatronics market at a CAGR of 20.4% during the forecast period.
Agricultural robots are divided into categories, but due to the needs and requirements of agricultural production and precision farming, these groups have been continuously expanding, and their application scenarios have become more diversified.
In the following paragraphs, we will delve into three groups of agricultural robots.
3 Key Groups of Agricultural Robots
Field Robots
Field robots are typically autonomous devices equipped with decision-making abilities, mechanised parts, and mobility features. They are designed to perform various crop production tasks either semi-automatically or automatically. These robots primarily move on wheels, with caterpillars and drones being less common. They are commonly tasked with activities like tilling soil, planting seeds, protecting crops, gathering information, and harvesting.
- Tillage robots – Intelligent machines crucial in digital agriculture where they are used to cultivate the land. They help reduce the physical workload for farmers while improving the efficiency and quality of land cultivation.
- Seeding robots – Used for sowing. They are invaluable, as they precisely plant seeds, thus saving time and money for farmers by ensuring accurate positioning.
- Crop protection robots – Automatically spray pesticides which reduce farmer’s exposure to pesticides. By deploying these machines, not only can the environment be protected, but farming costs can also be minimised.
Field information-collecting robots – Designed to aid farmers in the arduous task of collecting field data that assists farmers in making decisions. - Crop harvesting robots – Revolutionising agriculture by automating the labour-intensive process of harvesting crops.
Fruit and Vegetable Robots
Smart robotics present a promising and efficient solution to expand planting areas for market demand, particularly when integrated with advancements in cultivation, preservation, and processing technologies. By leveraging these innovations synergistically, agricultural practices can be optimised to meet evolving market needs while maximising productivity and sustainability.
- Transplanting robots – They automate the process of moving seedlings into the soil, reducing labour costs and enhancing precision in agricultural operations. These robots are designed to streamline planting tasks, improving efficiency and crop yields in modern farming practices.
- Fruit and vegetable patrolling robots – These machines navigate fields independently, gathering diverse information and transmitting valuable feedback to farmers. That data encompasses details on crop maturity, environmental conditions, and pest presence.
- Pesticide spraying robots – Just like the ones used in fields, these robots aim for more precise spraying to reduce environmental impact when treating fruits and vegetables.
- Gardening robots – They offer precise and efficient maintenance of gardens, reduced manual labour for garden upkeep, and the ability to adapt to changing garden conditions, ultimately enhancing the overall appearance and health of the garden.
- Fruit and vegetable picking robots – These are advanced automatic machines specifically engineered for large-scale detection and harvesting of fruits and vegetables in modern agricultural settings. These agricultural robots play a pivotal role in streamlining harvesting processes, ensuring efficiency, and meeting the demands of today’s agricultural industry.
Animal Husbandry Robots
Long investment cycles and the inherent risks in animal husbandry often lead to significant crises. During these crises, meat and dairy yields declined, driving up production costs. As a result, there is a demand for more intelligent farming strategies that can efficiently manage farms and mitigate such challenges.
- Breeding robots – Specifically engineered to tackle the labour-intensive task of disinfection, which plays a crucial role in enhancing poultry and livestock breeding. Improving breeding practices through thorough disinfection is fundamental, and offers a comprehensive approach to maximising breeding efficiency and health.
- Animal feeding robots – They address the labour-intensive task of providing timely nourishment to livestock and poultry, a process further complicated by the challenge of accurately feeding quantities. By automating animal feeding, both the expenses associated with feed and labour can be minimised, while simultaneously reducing feed wastage.
- Milking robots – These robots have revolutionised the dairy industry, providing farmers with more time for farm management. This led to improved cow performance and higher milk yields, resulting in increased economic returns for farmers.
- Egg collecting robots – They possess autonomous navigation abilities, allowing them to monitor poultry, navigate around obstacles, and efficiently collect eggs. This innovative technology represents a significant advancement in the automation of poultry farming operations. It promises increased efficiency and productivity within poultry houses.
How Do Agricultural Robots Benefit Farmers?
Some of the benefits of deploying agricultural robots are evident from the key groups laid out in the text above. But below we have compiled a thorough list of benefits farmers get from agricultural robots.
- Increased Efficiency
Agricultural robots are contributing to higher productivity by operating continuously, without the need for breaks. This ensures timely completion of operations and production. Scouting and crop care technologies aid in optimising irrigation practices, thereby enhancing water efficiency. Enhanced efficiency, enables farmers to harvest crops when they are at their peak ripeness and minimise losses. - Precision and Accuracy
Accurate seed placement is vital for maximising crop growth. This precision ensures uniform plant development and ultimately results in increased crop yields. Equipped with cutting-edge sensors and sophisticated algorithms, agricultural robots excel in executing tasks with exceptional precision. Whether it’s planting seeds at ideal depths or selectively administering fertilisers and pesticides, their accuracy is unmatched. Numerous robots can operate with an impressive accuracy of up to 2 cm, ensuring precise placement and mapping of every seed. - Sustainable Crop Care
Crop protection chemicals were typically used at an average rate of 38.8 kilograms per hectare of agricultural land in Europe in 2022. Through precise targeting, agricultural robots can minimise the utilisation of agrochemicals, thereby reducing environmental impact and fostering sustainable agricultural practices. This targeted chemical application also mitigates soil damage and watercourse pollution. - Elimination of weeds
Weeds pose a significant threat to crop yields by competing for resources. Agricultural robots, enhanced with computer vision and machine learning algorithms, can distinguish between crops and weeds, effectively targeting and eliminating unwanted plants. This targeted strategy minimises herbicide usage and mitigates the emergence of herbicide-resistant weeds. Annually, weeds typically cause a 28% reduction in crop yield on average. - Pest and Disease Management
Early detection and intervention are essential in preventing crop losses caused by pests and diseases. Agricultural robots, armed with specialised sensors, detect deviations in plant health using spectral analysis. This early identification empowers farmers to identify potential issues at an early stage and treat specifically a particular pest or disease. Additionally, robotics in farming supports multi-cropping techniques, facilitating natural pest control, enhancing biodiversity, and boosting yields. - Reduced Labour Costs
As manual labour becomes increasingly rare and expensive, robots present an economical and pragmatic alternative for handling repetitive or physically demanding tasks across various sectors. Their incorporation not only mitigates labour shortages but also enhances operational efficiency, leading to heightened productivity and resource optimization. - Better Harvesting
Robotic advancements have revolutionised harvesting, employing cutting-edge computer vision and robotic arm technology to delicately identify and harvest ripe crops without causing damage. This automation not only reduces labour costs but also guarantees uniform quality and simplifies post-harvest procedures. Furthermore, the lightweight construction of robots addresses soil compaction concerns. - Data Collection and Analysis
Agricultural robots equipped with advanced sensors play a crucial role in modern agriculture by continuously collecting data on soil moisture, nutrient levels, and crop health. That real-time information is then analysed to make informed decisions and optimise their practices to achieve higher crop yields and maximise overall efficiency in agricultural operations.
The diversity in formats and structures of data acquired by robots poses a significant challenge for analysis. To address this issue, the STELAR initiative is developing a Knowledge Lake Management System (KLMS). This innovative system facilitates seamless connection and comprehension of various data types, ensuring accuracy and scalability. Given the substantial volumes of data involved in acquisition, the system’s proficiency in managing large datasets offers substantial advantages.
Is a Fully Automated Farm the Future of Agriculture?
Traditionally, agriculture in the European Union relied heavily on manual labour. While certain tasks are suitable for automation, the vision of a fully automated farm remains distant. Although robots may replace some semi-skilled workers, the expertise of farmers, farm managers, and agronomists remains indispensable for decision-making. As technology evolves, there’s a growing demand for skilled workers to operate advanced machinery, leading to improved wages and rural life quality.
Moreover, collaborative robots, designed to work alongside humans, are increasingly prevalent in agriculture. These robots assist workers in physically demanding tasks, reducing the risk of injuries and bolstering overall productivity.
Conclusion
While we have highlighted the numerous benefits of robotics in agriculture—from increased efficiency to improved safety— it is important to recognize that this technology is still developing. So keep up with the latest advancements and innovations in this field by exploring our Blog and connecting with us on LinkedIn.
