Research Progress on Autonomous Operation Technology for Agricultural Equipment in Large Fields

Agriculture is a labor-intensive industry. However, with the demographic shift toward an aging population, agriculture is increasingly confronted with a labor shortage. The technology for autonomous operation of agricultural equipment in large fields can improve productivity and reduce labor intensity, which can help alleviate the impact of population aging on agriculture. Nevertheless, significant challenges persist in the practical application of this technology, particularly concerning adaptability, operational precision, and efficiency. This review seeks to systematically explore the advancements in unmanned agricultural operations, with a focus on onboard environmental sensing, full-coverage path planning, and autonomous operational control technologies. Additionally, this review discusses the challenges and future directions of key technologies for the autonomous operation of agricultural equipment in large fields. This review aspires to serve as a foundational reference for the development of autonomous operation technologies for large-scale agricultural equipment.