Amidst the pressing need for sustainable agriculture, the advent of agricultural robots, exemplified by projects like DTU’s SAVA and the innovative FarmBeast robot developed by a team of Maribor students, heralds a promising shift. These technologies are not merely tools but harbingers of a new era where biodiversity thrives alongside crop productivity and in support of plant-based farming goals. In Denmark, where agriculture occupies over 60% of the land primarily in monocultures, the detrimental effects on biodiversity are evident. The SAVA project, spearheaded by Professor Lazaros Nalpantidis, envisions fields managed by fleets of small robots performing various tasks autonomously, encouraging the growth of diverse crops within the same field. Similarly, the FarmBeast robot, a culmination of efforts by 17 students from Maribor, showcases the potential of robotics in crop production. Garnering the top prize for functionality at the international Field Robot Event competition, FarmBeast exemplifies how robots can enhance farm efficiency and biodiversity by performing precise tasks like weeding and pest control. These initiatives underscore the transformative potential of robotics in agriculture, promising a future where small robots could tailor their functions to the environment, enabling the co-cultivation of multiple crops. This paradigm shift could end monoculture practices, offering a model for agriculture that supports biodiversity, reduces the reliance on pesticides, and adheres to the principles of plant-based farming. As we embrace these technological advancements, the synergy between robotics and plant-based farming practices illuminates a path towards a sustainable and biodiverse agricultural landscape.
Source
www.dtu.dk/english/newsarchive/2023/11/agricultural-robots-can-help-improve-biodiversity