Introduction
Automation of agriculture involves the substitution of ancient farming techniques with an automated technology known as robotic agriculture to improve the way things happen, amongst other things in greenhouses, open farms, forests, and fisheries.
Farming robots are industrial robots normally used in the food industry. Many areas are used in agricultural robots, but the most popular are robots. However, many technological innovations have resulted in the design of versatile robots that take other tasks, such as weed control, and the spraying of herbicides.
Farmers save money and time, among other things, through the automation of agriculture. The automation of various processes, like the seeding, fruit picking, milking or even farm animals can benefit farmers from both developing and developed countries.
Benefits of Agricultural Robots
- Human Workers Protection
Robot protect people from the potential damage caused by inhalation or handling of farm chemicals by taking up work like the spraying of herbicides and pesticides. Either an agricultural robot with a specific industrial robot arm can be designed for spraying tasks from an elevated point or near the target.
- The flow of work is steady
Agricultural robots do not get sick or tired, as do human beings. You can work continuously for long hours. A day’s off isn’t necessary. Furthermore, agri-robots operate in full capacity. Its accuracy in relation to humans is high and this increases the quality of the end result. These features increase consistency in agriculture and lead ultimately to a stabilised process of food production. For example, a robot can complete the task, which would require an entire day for the human staff, by sorting fruit of a certain colour.
- Reduced Farm Input Wastage
In shorter working hours compared with human workers, robots are able to deliver error-free results. For example, agricultural robots can focus on the exact part that should be sprayed in the event of spraying chemicals. Like certain herbicides, some on the leaves and so on have to be sprayed on the roots. The same is true of other activities such as sowing. Since the robot can focus on the goal better than a person, the consumption of farm inputs is reduced.
- In the agricultural process, they improve efficiency
Certain agricultural robots use a vision system that is designed to fulfil even tasks that are impossible or too demanding for the human worker. For example, pick and place robots can quickly and easily sort out the defective products from consumable ones when sorting fruit harvest. Although this can be done by some people, they will take longer to do so.
Disadvantages of Agricultural Robots
- The production or buying of robots takes a lot of money.
- To keep them going, they need maintenance.
- Farmers can get out of work.
- The robots can change agriculture’s culture / emotional appeal.
- Cost of energy and maintenance.
- Research and development costs are high.
- Lack of farmers’ access.
Future of Agricultural Robotics
The need for significantly greater yields is at the core of this phenomenon. The United Nations estimates that by 2050, the global population will reach 9.7 billion. The world will require much more food and farmers are subjected to severe pressures to meet demand. In various ways, agricultural robots increase farmers’ production yields. The technology is used in creative and innovative applications, ranging from drones to autonomous tractors and robotic weapons.
Final Thoughts
Agriculture rapidly becomes a high technology sector that is exciting and attracts new professionals, new companies and new investors. It not only advances farmers’ production capabilities but also promotes robotics and automation technology, as we know it. The technology is rapidly developing and will bring efficiency in the field of Agriculture.
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