Last Updated on February 29, 2024
Agricultural robots are robots which are mainly used for execution of agricultural activities. Agricultural sector joins the manufacturing sector as one of the sector where innovators are designing and developing robots for use. With continuous technological advancements, the sector has experienced many robotic applications that are designed to cut down on the labor force.
Current trends and applications
Most of the current robotic agricultural applications are based on the theory behind the developing of autonomous cars. Many robotic companies have developed robots meant for use in agricultural farms but the main challenge has always been the execution of tasks such as harvesting delicate fruits without damaging them.
Traditional agricultural practices are facing a problem of inefficiency in operations as well as lack of adequate labor as majority of the young people in developing countries migrate to the cities to look for better opportunities. The adoption of robots in agriculture not only serves to solve these problems but also facilitates the attainment of the food supply required to sustain the ever-growing population. Some of the most common industrial robots for sale that are used in the agricultural sector include;
1. Nurseries
For compete and successful growth of a seedling to full grown plants, most plants require to go through a nursery where seeds are allowed to grow into plants under the right conditions. Robots are being used to enable the growth of the seedlings by monitoring the required conditions as well as the progress of the specific seedlings.
2. Planting of crops
During the planting season, our forefathers practiced the act of casting seeds all over the fields where only a few seeds survived leading to moderate harvest. This act also leads to the wastage of potential seeds which could have been put to better use.
Robotic applications in agriculture include the use of geo-mapping to analyze the soil samples and determine which seedlings are suitable for a particular piece of land for optimal returns. Geo-mapping enables the identification of the best soil quality for the particular seedlings and guides the tractors in the distribution of the seeds all over the farm.
3. Crop monitoring
Farmers with large pieces of lands face a huge challenge in monitoring the growth and development of their crops. The use of robots in agriculture through geo-mapping and use of drone technology can enable farmers to get real data about the performance of their crops. Drones give framers a pictorial representation of their farms where they are able to use the data to analyze their performance.
4. Irrigation
Farming in most countries is not possible because of the unavailability of adequate water to sustain the plants to full maturity. By the use of robots, irrigation and fertilization of plants can now use minimal water by focusing directly on the base of the plant which reduces the amount of water wasted. The robots also have the ability to access points that couldn’t be accessed by other irrigation systems enabling the handling of all plants.
5. Spraying and weeding
The use of herbicides and pesticides on agricultural has been termed dangerous to the environment when elements of these chemicals are allowed to diffuse into the environment. The use of robots in the curbing of weeds facilitates the use of herbicides in the particular area where weeds have been identified leading to less environmental contamination and wastage of the chemical.
6. Non-crop applications
Some of the non-crop robotic applications in agriculture include the use of robots in herding and shepherding. These robotic applications are informs of drones which are used to track your herd from the comfort of your home.
Another non-crop application in agriculture includes the use of robots in the milking if cows. It is mainly used in large scale farming where the robots disinfect the udders and carry out suction repetitive move to facilitate the collection of dairy milk. Robots in agriculture have not only helped to increase efficiency but served to reduce the operating costs.