Reflections of Automation in the Dairy Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis Approach on Robotic Milking Systems

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of robotic milking systems for the livestock and food industry and to determine the scope of current studies by bibliometric analysis. Materials and Methods: As the material of this study, bibliographic data of 460 scientific studies published between 1989 and 14.10.2024, which are currently available in the Web of Science database, were used. Bibliometric analysis was used in the evaluation of these data. Results: The United States is the country with the most studies on the subject, with 65 articles. Following the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada were identified as other countries with a high number of studies. In terms of the number of scientific studies, Journal of Dairy Science stands out among journals with 104 articles. It is also the most cited journal. Scientific studies on the relevant subject have been carried out intensively in almost every continent. Trevor J DeVries is considered the most prolific author, having published 34 scientific articles on robotic milking systems. Among the most commonly used keywords, “dairy-cows” (67), “behavior” (61), “yield” (58) and “robotic milking” (50) stand out. These keywords are seen as a focal point in scientific studies due to the high relationship of robotic milking systems with animal behavior and productivity. This study aims to provide a valuable resource for academics and researchers by deepening the knowledge on robotic milking systems. Conclusion: The research conducted points to a significant potential in both academic and industrial fields, and it is anticipated that future studies will take this potential even further.