As the new technologies that focus on automation are incorporated into our daily lives, it is only normal that some questions arise regarding which human activities can or can't be replaced by a machine. Well, this also applies to the agricultural area. Discover how automation can be applied in the field.
Reality shows that automation will eliminate very few occupations as a whole in the short term. Depending on the type of work, automation could affect almost every job in a greater or lesser degree.
Automation could be carried out by means of the adoption of current technologies, and it is said that it is potentially transforming traditional sectors such as the health and finance areas, since they have a constant demand for innovations. The field of agro-industry does not escape this trend and has adopted strategies that have a direct impact on:
Its main objectives are:
In order to make the impact that automation has had on the field more visible, we will divide the agriculture activities into two main groups:
We can't ignore the costs involved in developing any kind of automation, for any area or activity. Which is why, we must be aware that we would first go from one stage to another; from research, to deployment, to the implementing of software and hardware for each activity. It will all have a cost, and explaining this long-term-work can become a decisive argument for deciding on its implementation. It could also play for or against automation, though.
Therefore, we can cut to the chase by saying that in the field, the possibility of automation is viable, however, just because an activity can be automated it does not mean that it will be.
We have mentioned in previous posts that there are three specific issues which are key when it comes to automation in the field - more specifically, smart agriculture. I refer to the use of the following technologies:
Both driverless tractors and drones require the use of GIS for its application and operation. Currently, they are both increasingly available and in constant development. They together become trend indicators for the achievement of the long-awaited automation in agriculture in the following years. The main challenge will be to connect all of the elements together.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me, and do not miss my future blog-posts! You can also come to Casa Sauza yourself and visit both our agave fields as well as our factory.