Autonomous vehicles: a reality in agriculture
Large and small specialized and all-purpose robots are at work in Area 47 of Agrilevante, in the REAL exhibition space. These machines are not science fiction but rather a tangible reality that work intelligently and sustainably in our fields. The state of research in the sector and future progress are the focus of several conferences scheduled as part of the Bari event.
The REAL (Robotics and Electronics for Agriculture Live) exhibition area—the section of Agrilevante dedicated to robots and highly automated machinery—is not a window to the future but an example of contemporary agriculture. Compact robots specialized in mowing grass between rows of trees, such as in vineyards, and vehicles that can be coupled with various types of equipment, including highly specialized autonomous machinery such as sprayers, are currently at work in Area 47 of the Bari exhibition center, which has been specially set up for the purpose. These are particularly advanced tools, demonstrating how sensors, cameras, and computers can read the terrain, monitor cultivation needs, and intervene autonomously when necessary. Robotic models that work on the ground are now joined by drones, which can operate quickly and effectively on the upper parts of the plant, monitoring its health and processing all weather and climate parameters. Various types of robots and drones are currently on the market, but research continues, and more than ever, efforts are underway to develop the capabilities of these devices. Agrilevante hosted two conferences yesterday, the first entitled "Drones in Agriculture: The State of the Art," promoted by the federation of agricultural machinery and technology retailers (FederAcma), and the second entitled "Robotics and Drones in Agricultural Contexts," promoted by the University of Bari. The technical trials in the REAL area and the special conferences highlight, first and foremost, the need for agriculture to rely on "intelligent" vehicles, capable of managing each phase of processing with scientific precision and of using natural resources and combining production factors with scientific precision. But they also highlight two fundamental functions that robots and drones must fulfill: that of replacing human labor in those production contexts, particularly in the most industrialized countries, where it is more difficult to find agricultural labor; and that of operating in impervious areas and extreme environments, where dangers loom for operators and where machines can push "beyond the limits".
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