Some farming tasks may be done by drones and robots with the increasing use of advanced technology.
robot farmers
In the near future, robots will be responsible for growing and preparing the fruits and vegetables that you consume.drones and robots, some powered by artificial intelligence. In fact, it’s already happening on farms across America.
In February, Hylio, a tech company based in Houston, received a special approval from the Federal Aviation Administration that allows one pilot to control multiple large drones at once over farmland. This new regulation means that a maximum of three battery-powered drones, some weighing up to 400 pounds, can now be used to distribute fertilizer and pesticides on produce fields. Previously, this responsibility fell on farm employees or airplanes used for crop dusting.
Prior to the decision made by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), launching this particular group of drones would have necessitated a team of certified controllers, resulting in a more intricate and costly procedure. With the utilization of three simultaneous drones, a single operator is able to spray 150 acres within an hour.
Farm-ng showcased the Amiga, a fully electric and automated micro-tractor that utilizes AI technology to perform tasks such as equipment hauling, seeding, cultivating, and spreading compost for extended periods of time on a single charge.
Rublee’s company, located in Watsonville which is approximately an hour away from San Jose, has attracted the attention of investors from Silicon Valley.
According to the speaker, our organization has raised approximately $16 million over the course of four years. Currently, we have $10 million in our bank account and a team of 30 individuals who are dedicated and skilled in their fields, all coming together in Watsonville to revolutionize the agricultural industry.
The Laser Weeder, developed by CEO and creator Paul Mikesell from Carbon Robotics, was demonstrated. This innovative technology utilizes infrared lasers and high-speed cameras to quickly locate and eliminate weeds in a matter of seconds.
According to Mikesell, prior to having a Laser Weeder, individuals were required to manually spray chemicals on the field using hand tools.
Is this a potential answer to the shortage of labor?
The creators of these advanced devices stated that their innovations could potentially alleviate the long-standing shortage of labor in the American agricultural sector. Between 1950 and 2000, the amount of hired workers in farming decreased by over 50%, as reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hiring has remained a struggle for farm proprietors well into the 2020s.
Although implementing automation may help mitigate the lack of labor and alleviate farm workers from physically and mentally taxing and potentially hazardous tasks, Lulu Cardenas, a 61-year-old farm worker, is concerned that this advancement in technology could jeopardize her job.
Cardenas expressed feeling replaced by something similar and anticipated difficult times in supporting his family.
She has worked the fields in California’s Central Valley since immigrating from Mexico 20 years ago. When CBS News described the new kinds of farm robots to Cardenas, she was disappointed, citing the spiritual connection between humans and plants.
She stated that a cold machine cannot replace the warmth of human touch.
Asuncion Ponce, a friend of Cardenas from the same village south of Mexico City who arrived 36 years ago, was equally disturbed upon seeing the new farm robots.
Ponce, who has recently become a citizen of the United States, stated that the farmers are receiving advantages from it, but it also means they are delegating a significant amount of work away from us.
He has previously witnessed machines performing tasks on the farm, but this was his initial encounter with the advanced generation of intelligent technology.
“There’s a lot of machinery that [now harvests] onion, garlic, lettuce, broccoli,” Ponce said. “Instead of more people laboring, now you’re having three people.”
Certain large farms and organizations supporting a cause have implemented educational programs aimed at aiding farm workers in acquiring the necessary abilities to adjust to modern technology and assume responsibilities as operators or programmers of drones.
Adrián Miramontes, a Mexican immigrant and military veteran, expressed his belief that we can utilize machines while still prioritizing the well-being of our employees. He manages a sizeable farming business and shared that his workers are eager to grow and improve for themselves and their loved ones.
The next steps
The U.S. Department of Labor is keeping track of this matter as well. According to a spokesperson for CBS News, the department will be sending a list of suggested actions to President Biden next month that could aid farm workers who have been affected by AI. Any potential new assistance program would need to be approved by Congress. It may also be incorporated into a new Executive Order, which would come after the one issued in October 2023.
It is uncertain if an assistance program would be advantageous for the large number of illegal immigrants who are employed in agricultural fields in the United States.
Dave Malkoff
Source: cbsnews.com