The People v. Tech: Forecasting the Future of Farming

By Future Farming

Technology is invading every industry. Already, robots, the Internet of Things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI) are daily fixtures in hospitals. From robots to wearables, such as Fitbits and Apple Watches, the skepticism that once surrounded tech in healthcare has quickly transitioned into widespread acceptance. Companies like Meritive and Google Health continue to push the boundaries.

The same tech that has revolutionized healthcare is now transforming agriculture, reports Future Farming. But agritech doesn’t just make crops and animals grow. As more farmers embrace technology, concerns turn to what this means for who we hire, and how we hire? What can agribusinesses learn from healthcare to make this inevitable transition seamless? The transformations in healthcare can help agribusinesses forecast and prepare for the future of farming.

Robots offer more than service

At the Aalborg University Hospital, robots efficiently transport up to 3,000 blood samples at a stable temperature to ensure accurate analysis and enhanced patient care. And beyond logistical tasks, one robot named PARO responds to touch and sound to reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness for patients. For individuals with dementia or autism, PARO offers more than just service, but solace.

Agriculture is also embracing the role of robots to alleviate the burden of manual and high-level tasks for efficiency and peace of mind. Agricultural robots from companies like Agrointelli and Naïo Technologies can seed, weed, spray, and harvest. These robots reduce labor costs, improve crop quality, minimize environmental impact, and enhance data analysis to alleviate the farmers’ decision-making and, ultimately, workload stress. Just as in healthcare, we are steering towards a future where robots manage both manual and intricate tasks.