Review of the world market of agriculture robotics. Part 1. Unmanned vehicles for agriculture

The overview is presented of the global market of unmanned agricultural vehicles and robotic devices and complexes used in various areas of agriculture. The main lines in application of agricultural robots and the feasibility of their introduction into agriculture along with traditional methods or in exchange of them are highlighted. The data on the concepts and developments of unmanned tractors and their equipment are given. The main market players are considered and promising technologies are described for unmanned agricultural vehicles, robotic devices and complexes in crop production and animal husbandry. Agricultural robots are identified and described: robot weeders, thinning robots, harvesting robots, robots for performing operations in vineyards and gardens, self-mobile monitoring robots, and robots for animal husbandry. The advantages of using robots in each of the areas, as well as trends in technological innovations, are identified. Conclusions are made about the prospects of the global market of agricultural robotics and about its positive impact on agriculture in terms of economics, technology and ecology.