Farm robots: ecological utopia or dystopia?

Journal: Trends in ecology & evolution
Published Date:

Abstract

Farm robots may lead to an ecological utopia where swarms of small robots help in overcoming the yield penalties and labor requirements associated with agroecological farming - or a dystopia with large robots cultivating monocultures. Societal discussions and policy action are needed to harness the potential of robots to serve people and the planet.

Authors

  • Thomas Daum
    Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute of Agricultural Science in the Tropics, University of Hohenheim, Wollgrasweg 43, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany. Electronic address: thomas.daum@uni-hohenheim.dethomas.daum@uni-hohenheim.de.