Innovative Robotic Process Control in Agriculture: Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability
A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Automation Control Systems".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 694
Special Issue Editors
Interests: agricultural robotics; plant phenotyping; computer vision; artificial intelligence
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The convergence of robotics and agriculture represents a pivotal transformation in modern agricultural practices, offering solutions to overcome challenges in global food security, labor shortages, and environmental sustainability. The proposed Special Issue, entitled “Innovative Robotic Process Control in Agriculture: Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability”, will explore cutting-edge developments in agricultural robotics and their applications that promise to revolutionize farming operations through enhanced precision, reduced environmental impact, and improved resource utilization. Aiming to provide crucial insights into the technical, economic, and social dimensions of agricultural robotics implementation, we invite researchers, industry experts, and practitioners to submit original research papers, reviews, and case studies from, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Integrated Robotic Systems Development: Investigating complete autonomous agricultural systems that combine mechanical platforms, sensing capabilities, and control algorithms, including field robots, drones, and intelligent harvesting machines designed for improved operational efficiency and robust environmental adaptation.
- Sensor–Actuator Systems Integration: Examining novel mechatronic designs and control architectures that enable precise agricultural operations, including advanced manipulation systems, multi-modal sensing platforms, and adaptive control strategies for variable field conditions.
- Hardware–Software Architectures: Discussing the integration of artificial intelligence and physical robotic components for real-world agricultural applications, focusing on field-validated solutions that combine sensing, decision-making, and mechanical execution capabilities.
- Environmental and Resource Optimization: Analyzing how integrated robotic systems can enhance sustainable farming practices through precision application mechanisms, energy-efficient designs, and intelligent resource management capabilities that minimize environmental impact.
- Implementation and Socioeconomic Analysis: Exploring the practical deployment of agricultural robotic systems, including performance validation, economic viability assessment, workforce implications, and pathways for successful technology adoption in farming communities.
- Automated Testing, Sensing, and Detection Technologies: Focusing on advanced automated methods for testing and monitoring in agriculture, including non-destructive testing; optical and spectral analysis for crop growth, health, and chemical composition; and the intelligent detection of fruit quality, structural parameters, and process states, which enhance the reliability, precision, and efficiency of agricultural operations.
The research presented will serve as a valuable resource for educators, researchers, agricultural technology developers, and policymakers working to advance sustainable farming practices through the integration of robotics.
Dr. Jingyao Gai
Dr. Jiqing Chen
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- agricultural robotics
- agricultural automation
- autonomous equipment
- precision agriculture
- human–robot collaboration
- field robotics
- smart farming
- sustainable farming technologies
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