Agricultural Robotics and Automation [TC Spotlight]

Agricultural production is a key economic activity providing a growing world population with resources such as food, fibers, fuels, and chemical basic components. Yet, agriculture also plays a crucial role in the depletion of resources, including fresh water, fossil fuels, and nutrients (e.g., phosphate), and has a significant impact on our living environment through emissions and the use of chemicals. Despite a growing world population, labor participation in agricultural production is declining. Technology has been instrumental in the very successful development of agriculture throughout the centuries and will play a crucial role in the transition to more sustainable agrifood production in the years that lie ahead of us.