The Role of Robotics in Sustainable Agriculture and Waste Management

Abstract

The combination of robotics in agriculture and waste management enhances sustainability by improving efficiency, reducing investment cost, and promoting environmental preservation. In agriculture, precision farming robots improve the efficiency of water and nutrient applications, decreasing water usage by 30–50% and dependence on pesticides by as much as 90%. Autonomous harvesters boost efficiency by 40%, and AI-driven crop monitoring increases disease diagnosis accuracy to 95%, hence reducing losses. Soil management robots are growing productivity by 25% via precision tillage and soil health assessment. AI-driven robotic sorting solutions in trash management are expanding recycling efficiency by as much as 90%, markedly decreasing landfill waste. Innovative composting robots expedite organic waste decomposition by 30–50%, while hazardous waste-handling robots improve worker safety by more than 80%. These innovations correspond with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, advancing food security, climate action, and circular economy practices for a more sustainable future.