Food’s future: sustainability and agricultural robotics

Abstract

Our global food system faces growing challenges such as population growth, climate change, resource constraints, and food loss. This set of threats has begun to erode the stability of food security efforts and challenge the long-term sustainability goals outlined by global organizations. To respond effectively, the sector needs concrete and forward-looking innovations that reflect the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN), especially the commitment in Goal 2 to eliminate hunger. In this study, we examine how agricultural robotics can support the shift toward more resilient and sustainable food systems, particularly in areas where classical methods are under strain. It brings together perspectives from technology, sustainability, and policy, aiming to bridge broad global priorities with everyday realities faced in local contexts. To structure the discussion in a concise way, our analysis is framed around five different, yet interrelated, dimensions. First, we use a crisis-framing perspective to explain why food system reform has become urgent and to show how these pressures align with key SDG priorities. The second dimension outlines a simple taxonomy that groups agricultural robots according to their domain and intended function while also highlighting ongoing technical issues such as interoperability. The next dimension examines how robotics is being amalgamated with precision farming tools, Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data systems. Collectively, these technologies facilitate more autonomous field operations and support faster, data-driven decision making. The sustainability dimension evaluates how these technologies affect environmental, economic, and social outcomes in the agricultural sector. This comprehensive review highlights several potential advantages, such as reduced chemical inputs, improved water efficiency, improvements in soil quality, more efficient use of labor, and new employment opportunities in rural and remote areas. In the final dimension, this study turns to global case studies, drawing comparative insights between developed nations such as Australia and the United States, and emerging economies including Brazil, India, and China. Across these diverse contexts, agricultural robotics consistently demonstrate the capacity to boost productivity, reduce waste, and make more efficient use of resources. It is apparent that these gains extend beyond the farm, contributing to environmental stewardship and broader socio-economic development. Yet, the path to widespread adoption is far from straightforward. Farmers and policymakers alike confront persistent barriers: the high upfront costs of robotic systems, gaps in technical expertise, difficulties in ensuring interoperability across platforms, and pressing ethical questions around data governance and automation. Overcoming these challenges is not simply a technical exercise; it is a prerequisite for realizing the full promise of robotics in reshaping global food systems for a more sustainable future.