Robots for Use in the (near) Future?.

New concepts in agricultural automation Prof Simon Blackmore Head of Engineering, Harper Adams University College, Newport. TF10 8NB UK simon.blackmore@harper-adams.ac.uk Abstract Many new agricultural automation technologies are being developed by university researchers that pose questions about the efficiency and effectiveness with which we carry out current agricultural practices. This has given rise to many new opportunities to service the agronomic requirements albeit in radically different ways to those currently used. This paper sets out 41 concepts relating to this work. Some are new and untried; others have been built and tested in research conditions or are traditional concepts that have been revisited in light of new technological opportunities. This paper aims to raise awareness that there are now alternative ways to support the crop production process. It is not meant to give a definitive view of agricultural automation but to start a discussion on smarter ways to farm.