Conclusion

Robotics is a booming sector in agriculture today, and several commercial robots are already available. However, they are still confined to small, restricted tasks, or operate in structured, closed environments. Technological maturity has made it possible to offer these first solutions, often developed by innovative companies. However, they tend to be driver-assistance devices, leaving the driver free to make his or her own decisions. Such devices, widely marketed by traditional manufacturers, enable autonomous driving of agricultural vehicles during work phases, helping to reduce the arduousness of field work. Although only partial, this autonomy represents a first step towards the development of autonomous tractors, several prototypes of which have already been presented at various trade fairs.

Agriculture is waiting for robotic systems capable of going beyond...