Robotic technology is changing agriculture. It is amazing what is being done with robots we normally associate with manufacturing. These changes were already in the pipeline, however Covid-19 and its requirements for a safe workplace have accelerated the application of this technology.
A recent ASME Special Reports video highlighted these changes. The video runs a little over 10 minutes, but is worth the watch. Seeing a robot pick ripe cherry tomatoes from a group of both ripe and non-ripe tomatoes is innovative to say the least. And watching a machine handle the entire process of milking a cow is a thing to behold.
A song that was popular during World War I was “How are you going to keep them down on the farm after they have seen Paris?” I doubt any of the robots featured in this video has a desire to see the Eiffel Tower, so I think we are safe that this technology is here to stay and find even greater applications throughout the world of agriculture. – Dr Tom
