Crop robots as potential enablers of economical and biodiversity-smart small-scale farming

Abstract Purpose Reducing human labor requirements through crop robots is assumed to positively affect the economy of smaller fields. Strip cropping is a mechanizable approach to creating smaller subfields and increasing biodiversity but currently suffers from economic pressures. To investigate whether robots could present a labor-saving solution in this production system, two strip cropping field labs operated with autonomous equipment are studied. Methods Human labor during tractor and commercial robot operations in a strip cropping setting was documented in southern Germany (2022-2024). Descriptive analyses are complemented by technological progress scenarios. Both observed and scenario data are used to calculate the effect of field and strip size on human labor input. The findings are contextualized with observations from strip cropping trials in the UK that were operated fully autonomously with retrofitted equipment (2023-2025). Results A comparison of the observed tractor and robot data shows that tractors can currently operate a strip cropping system more efficiently than robots. The AgBot crop robot analyzed cannot yet reduce human labor time in a small-scale diversified production system. However, low-threshold technological progress may lead robots’ human time requirements to approach that of tractors. Hybrid autonomous technologies, as used in the UK setting, can address inefficiencies arising from logistics. Conclusion Economies of field size exist for both tractors and robots and can only be overcome at extensive changes to farm infrastructure and legal framework. Logistics and support activities make larger fields more economical. Crop robots should therefore not be assumed to change field structures towards more biodiversity.