Scenarios for automated crop production

Abstract

The current technological progress in agricultural engineering is based on the increasing use of automation. First concepts and studies of highly automated systems are already being tested and there are three potential starting platforms for future developments in agricultural engineering. On the one hand, there is the tractor as a universal large-scale technology, but also the self-propelled machine as a process-related large-scale technology. With the development of new technologies, the robot as a small-scale technology also offers a starting platform for future developments. Many advantages and disadvantages can be found for all platforms, as well as initiators and restraints. The crucial factor for further increasing the level of automation is above all the possibility of complete process monitoring and evaluation. The question of what future crop cultivation systems will look like is directly related to the technical possibilities of automation and the requirements of plants. Development paths for automated agricultural engineering will be considered, the differences between small and large-scale technology will be characterised and the potential for a small-scale technology scenario in connection with new crop cultivation systems will be described.