How Are Agriculture Robots Enhancing Productivity and Improving Farm Yields?

For millennia, agriculture has been one of the major factors in the development of cities and civilizations worldwide. Today, agriculture is the world’s primary source of food, providing proteins, vegetables, and oils. Also, it’s a major source of employment, providing jobs for farmers, farm equipment technicians, and scientists. With the rising worldwide population and growing demand for food, farm producers are increasingly looking for ways to improve crop yield and optimize operations for enhanced productivity.

Agriculture robots, which are machines capable of performing several tasks and actions automatically, are one of the latest advancements in the agriculture industry. In this blog post, we explain to you the basics of agriculture robots and their different types. Also, we shed light on the top companies that are driving the agriculture industry forward with their robotic offerings. Stick with us!

What Are Agriculture Robots?

In essence, agriculture robots or agribots are robots deployed for agricultural purposes. These robots can be programmed to perform specific tasks on farms, or they can react to the agricultural environments around them. Agricultural robots can perform a variety of tasks, such as picking and packing fruits, planting seeds, and spraying plants with agrochemicals. Also, they can be used to collect farm data and measure soil pH levels and minerals. These robots provide innovative solutions to improve production and meet the ever-evolving needs of the agriculture industry.

Types of Agriculture Robots

In agriculture, a variety of robots are used to carry out a wide range of farming operations. The most common types of agriculture robots are:

Aerial Imaging Robots

Aerial imaging robots are unmanned aerial vehicles used for aerial photography and imaging. With aerial imaging robots, farmers can inspect crops from the air and gain valuable insights into crop health and soil conditions. Also, the data from these drones can be downloaded to tractors and other smart farm equipment to control the application of fertilizers. There are several types of aerial imaging robots for agriculture, including fixed-wing imaging robots, rotary-wing imaging robots, and hybrid imaging robots.

Seeding and Spraying Robots

As their name implies, these robots are used for seeding and spraying on farmlands. Seeding drones are primarily used for cover crops, which helps limit soil erosion and reduces pollution in water runoff. Also, the pre-programmed paths to distribute seeds ensure even distribution and reduce waste. Aerial drones are apt for seeding in areas that aren’t accessible to tractors and crop dusters. Spraying drones help apply fertilizers, pesticides, agrochemicals, and other treatments to crops.

Fruit and Vegetable Harvesting Robots

Fruit and vegetable harvesting robots make use of cameras and sensors to pick crops without damaging them. These robots usually have a mobile base, a control system, a machine vision system, and one or multiple manipulators or end-effectors. They make use of multiple cameras to view the fruit or vegetable tree from different angles. The end-effectors grasp the fruit or vegetable and twist it to harvest it. Although these robots are still in their prototyping stages, they show great promise.

Autonomous Mobile Robots

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have numerous applications in agriculture. They assist with tasks like planting, monitoring, and harvesting crops. AMRs can move through the environment independently without direct operator oversight. They make use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and sensors to interpret and navigate the environment. These robots can provide several benefits, including reduced labor costs and improved crop yields.

Top Manufacturers of Agriculture Robots

The market for agricultural robots, which is expected to projected to grow to USD 103.50 billion by 2032 and anticipated to register a CAGR of 25.7% from 2024 to 2032, has the presence of several companies. Below is an overview of the top companies producing agricultural robots:

AGCO Corporation

Founded: 1990

Headquarters: Georgia, United States

AGCO Corporation is an American agricultural company that designs, produces, and sells farm machines and equipment. ACGO’s portfolio of farm solutions includes tractors, combined harvesters, hay & forage, application equipment, ground care, grain storage, and protein production systems. The company adopts several strategic developments to serve the needs of farmers globally. For instance, in April 2024, AGCO Corporation announced a joint venture with Trimble to provide agricultural technologies that reduce environmental impact.

Deere & Company

Founded: 1837

Headquarters: Illinois, United States

Deere & Company is an American corporation that does business as John Deere. It manufactures agricultural machinery, forestry machinery, heavy equipment, diesel engines and drivetrain used in lawncare equipment. Along with manufacturing farm machinery, the company produces industrial and construction equipment. Currently, the company has locations in more than 70 countries.

DJI Agriculture

Founded: 2015

Headquarters: Shenzhen, China

DJI Agriculture is a part of Chinese drone maker DJI. It is committed to offering intelligent agriculture solutions through drone technology. Currently, the company offers a variety of crop protection drones, including the T16, MG-1, MG-1P, and the MG-1S. Besides, DJI Agriculture offers a dedicated software called the DJI Agriculture Data Management Platform. In November 2023, the company introduced two new drone models, the T60 and T25P, designed for a wide array of farmland applications.

GEA Group

Founded: 1881

Headquarters: Germany

GEA Group is a German corporation that is dedicated to helping farms thrive. It offers advanced solutions that support farmers’ goals on increasing productivity and ensuring animal health. The company’s Next Generation Farming segment provides intelligent solutions that increase yield, enhance flexibility, and reduce emissions and waste. Also, the group focuses on sustainability and is committed to using environmentally friendly practices for a better future.

CHN International

Founded: 2012

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

 CNH Industrial is an American-Italian multinational company that designs, manufactures, and sells agricultural machinery. The company’s portfolio of agricultural products includes tractors, harvesters, planters, cotton pickers, and tillage equipment. CHN Industrial has a robust network of 10,000+ independent dealers and distributors spread across 170 countries across the globe.

Enhancing Farm Efficiency

To conclude, robots are playing a transformative role in agriculture by reducing labor requirements and improving precision and efficiency. Also, they are setting new standards for productivity and sustainability in agriculture. With companies introducing more technologically advanced agricultural robots, the capabilities and applications of these robots are anticipated to grow.