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Edge AI
Compact inference accelerators run perception models directly on field robots.
Modern developments
Edge AI, swarms, soft robotics, and the policy questions they raise.
Now
What changed in the last few years.
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Soft grippers
Compliant end-effectors handle delicate fruit without bruising.
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Swarm concepts
Many lightweight robots cooperate on field tasks, with shared maps and roles.
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High-resolution remote sensing
Satellite and drone imagery feed the same models used onboard.
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Better batteries
Longer field endurance thanks to denser cells and smarter energy management.
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Policy updates
New rules address autonomous machines, pesticide application, and farm data.
Open questions
Things the industry is still working out.
- Who owns and controls farm data?
- How do we certify safety for autonomous machines?
- How do small farms access robotics without losing autonomy?
- What workforce roles emerge as tasks shift?
- How do we keep ecosystems healthy while intensifying precision?
