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Market Overview

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The global agriculture autonomous robots market experienced significant growth in recent years, with a value of $3.92 billion in 2021 and a projected reach of $10.50 billion by 2027, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.16% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2027. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for food and the need for precise, digital, and smart agricultural practices.

The adoption of advanced technologies like automation, digitalization, and artificial intelligence is transforming the agriculture industry worldwide. These technologies contribute to various farming applications such as pest control, crop protection, and weeding. Traditional farming methods, predominantly reliant on engine power and tractors, are expected to be surpassed by automated equipment that provides precision in farming operations. Several trends in the global agriculture industry support the adoption of automation. Conservation agriculture, for example, aims to reduce environmental damage through practices like minimal soil disturbance and permanent soil cover. However, this approach requires special or automated equipment for tasks like drilling crop seeds into the soil at the right density and depth. Increasing efficiency in agriculture is a primary objective for farmers globally, and automation serves as a key driver towards achieving this goal. Automation technologies, including agriculture drones, robots, and autonomous tractors, are used for harvesting, land preparation, crop management, and other farming operations.

There is a misconception that automation in the agriculture sector replaces farmers and encourages rural to urban migration. However, automation technology actually improves the well-being of farmers while creating more efficient work opportunities. For instance, autonomous robots can significantly reduce the effort and time required for weeding and land preparation, allowing farmers to allocate more time for other activities and reducing physical strain. Additionally, robotics, machine learning, information and communications technology (ICT), and digitalization provide job opportunities to women and youth. Various regions are taking initiatives to support youth in the agriculture sector, such as the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in Africa, which supports initiatives like Pitch AgriHack that introduce new technologies like robots to enhance agricultural transformation.

The agriculture autonomous robots market is still evolving, with increased research and development activities focused on developing robotic technologies and products to meet the growing demand for food and automation in the sector. Increased investment in smart agriculture presents significant opportunities for the global agriculture autonomous robots market. Additionally, these technologies help reduce crop losses caused by undetected pest infestations and diseases, while also facilitating safe and high-quality harvesting and picking of crops, including fruits and vegetables.

Amidst the global focus on meeting food demand, the shift towards digital, smart, and data-driven products in the agriculture sector creates sales and financing opportunities. This shift is particularly prominent in the automation and robotics segments, especially in regions like North America and Europe. Moreover, agriculture autonomous robots have a moderate to high impact on crop protection systems, reducing crop losses attributed to diseases and pest infestations.

In light of the pandemic, labor shortages have disrupted agricultural processes, prompting countries worldwide to prioritize food security and increase domestic food production. To address labor shortages, automated technologies such as sensors, data analytics, and robotics have been implemented in the production system. Governments continue to promote policies that encourage the adoption of agriculture autonomous robot techniques as a suitable solution.

The demand drivers for the agriculture autonomous robots market include a growing focus on environmental sustainability, an aging workforce leading to skill shortages, and an escalating adoption of precision agriculture technologies. However, the market also faces certain limitations, including high initial investment and costs, less adoption among small-scale farmers, and limited awareness and access to technology in certain regions.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including application, product, and region.

Segmentation by Application
Crop Monitoring
Inventory Management
Harvesting and Picking
Dairy Farm Management
Others

Segmentation by Product
Weeding Robots
Crop Harvesting Robots
Milking Robots
Others

Segmentation by Region
North America – U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Europe – Italy, Germany, France, and Rest-of-Europe
China
U.K.
Asia-Pacific- Japan, India, South Korea, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific
Rest-of-the-World – South America, Middle East and Africa

Dairy farm management is a significant application of agriculture autonomous robots, particularly in Europe and North America where milking robots are widely adopted. The growing trend of advanced technologies and robotics in agriculture, along with the increasing need for farm management and inventory tracking, has driven the demand for agriculture autonomous robots. These robots can be utilized for various farming processes such as crop monitoring, dairy farm management, inventory management, harvesting, and picking.

Dairy farm management stands out as a major application due to the high adoption of milking robots in Europe and North America. The global dairy farm automation trend is driven by concerns for animal welfare among farmers. By employing agriculture autonomous robots in dairy farms, farmers can easily monitor cattle feeding patterns and behavior, enabling them to provide appropriate treatment in case of sickness. Additionally, milking robots reduce manual labor and improve farm profitability, prompting farmers to shift from conventional methods to robotic technology in dairy farms.

The milking robots segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20.34% during the forecast period of 2022-2027, fueled by the increasing use of automation in dairy farms. These robots enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs, leading farmers to adopt milking robots and reduce reliance on manual labor. The agriculture autonomous robots market comprises four primary product types: crop harvesting robots, weeding robots, milking robots, and others. Crop harvesting robots use computer vision and artificial intelligence to detect fruit ripeness and then harvest crops based on quality and maturity. Weeding robots help control weeds in farms by distinguishing them from desired crops and using laser technologies to remove them without chemicals, utilizing machine learning, GPS, and AI. Milking robots employ automated techniques for cows to drink, eat, and be milked according to their own schedule, providing them with a computer-formulated diet and eliminating the need for manual labor. The others segment includes livestock monitoring robots, spraying robots, and irrigation robots. Livestock monitoring robots utilize AI to gather real-time data on farm animals, including health, behavior, food and water quality, and hygiene.

In terms of regional revenue, North America generated the highest revenue of $1.33 billion in 2021 due to R&D advancements and supportive government regulations. Europe presents an attractive market for agriculture autonomous robots due to the availability of various market segments. Asia-Pacific is expected to exhibit the highest market growth, driven by increased adoption of technology-driven farming practices, emphasis on alternative techniques, and the potential for high-investment equipment in agriculture. Japan, in particular, has embraced modern farming techniques, including autonomous robots, to sustain and enhance agricultural production amidst rapid urbanization and abandoned farms. Therefore, agriculture autonomous robots hold great potential in improving crop production in the region.

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Competitive Landscape

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The competitive landscape of the agriculture autonomous robots market is shaped by a range of strategies implemented by major industry players in order to establish a strong market position. These strategies include new product launches, business expansions, and partnerships and collaborations. Among these strategies, product launches have emerged as the most dominant approach adopted by industry providers.

The selection of companies for profiling has been based on inputs obtained from primary experts, as well as an analysis of company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

The leading players in the market are primarily focused on crop monitoring and dairy farm management, which collectively hold approximately 65% market presence. Players operating in other technologies, such as inventory management, harvesting, and picking, account for around 35% market presence as of 2021.

Key companies profiled in this report include AGCO Corporation, Agrobot, BouMatic, DAIRYMASTER, Deere & Company, Ecorobotix SA, GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft, KUBOTA Corporation, Lely, Naio Technologies, Robert Bosch GmbH, Saga Robotics AS, Uniseed, Verdant Robotics.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In April 2022, Verdant Robotics unveiled a revolutionary robotic solution designed for farms. Leveraging machine learning, AI perception, and robotics technology, this solution enables simultaneous spraying and weeding, offering unprecedented efficiency and effectiveness.

In December 2021, Lely entered into a strategic collaboration with Connectera B.V., a Dutch-based company. Through this partnership, Lely aims to leverage Connectera B.V.’s advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence to provide farmers with enhanced insights. Furthermore, these technologies facilitate the integration of farm technologies with artificial intelligence, leading to the development of advanced farm management systems.

In October 2021, BouMatic successfully completed the acquisition of SAC Group, a highly regarded producer of comprehensive milking systems for cows, sheep, and goats. This strategic move is expected to significantly bolster BouMatic’s global presence and expand its product portfolio.

In November 2020, Robert Bosch GmbH and BASF SE established a joint venture focused on digital technologies within the agricultural sector. Together, they developed an innovative smart spraying technology capable of applying herbicide exclusively to weeds while avoiding any impact on unaffected areas of crops.

In October 2020, AGCO Corporation announced the introduction of Fendt Xaver, featuring an embedded solution developed by the AGCO Group and a precision planting seed unit. Notably, Fendt Xaver incorporates the Vario Guide Lane guidance system, enabling the robot to operate with exceptional centimeter-level accuracy.

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Key Questions Answered

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What is the projected global market size in terms of revenue for the agriculture autonomous robots market during the forecast period 2022-2027?

What is the anticipated compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the agriculture autonomous robots market between 2022 and 2027?

What are the key trends, market drivers, and opportunities in the agriculture autonomous robots market?

What are the primary restraints hindering the growth of the global agriculture autonomous robots market?

What strategies are the existing market players adopting to expand their market position in the agriculture autonomous robots industry?

Based on recent developments, product offerings, and regional presence, what is the competitive strength of the key players in the agriculture autonomous robots market?

How do the key agriculture autonomous robots companies compare in terms of market coverage and potential?

What is the expected revenue and growth percentage for each segment during the forecast period?

Who are the players and stakeholders operating in the agriculture autonomous robots market ecosystem, and what is their significance in the global market?

Which consortiums and associations are leading in the global agriculture autonomous robots market, and what roles do they play?

How does the regulatory landscape differ across regions for agriculture autonomous robots?

How are emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), 5G communication, and the Internet of Things (IoT) driving the growth of the agriculture autonomous robots market?

What are the major patents filed in the agriculture autonomous robots space?

How are government and corporate initiatives shaping the agriculture autonomous robots industry landscape?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the agriculture autonomous robots market?