Robot-enhanced insect pest control: reality or fantasy?

Publication date: 28/10/2019
Extent: 22 pages

Contributions by: Linton Winder, The BHU Future Farming Centre, New Zealand; and Rory Flemmer, Junior Enterprises, New Zealand

Chapter synopsis: This chapter focusses on the incorporation of robotics and automation to detect insect pests within integrated pest management (IPM) programmes. The chapter reviews current technology that could be utilized for this purpose, and identifies significant barriers to implementing such an approach, including locating and identifying small and difficult-to-observe pests. The chapter provides examples of how technology is already being used or developed to solve real-world IPM problems, including uses of robotic technology to control insects, mites, nematodes and weeds. Finally, the chapter makes some predictions about how such technology may affect IPM in the next decade or two.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2019.0047.30