In the next decades, agriculture is to feed a rapidly growing population, while tackling changes in climate, overexploited resources, changes in markets and competition with other sectors. Agriculture is, therefore, expected to move towards a more sustainable intensification. In this context, robotic technologies are aimed to reduce labor, using fewer resources and improving agricultural productivity. There is growing demand and awareness of the potential use of such technologies in the farming industry. Public and private investments are driving technological innovation in recent years. Today’s farm robots can perform a variety of fieldwork, from scanning a field identifying weeds and reducing the use of herbicides, to harvesting vegetables and soft fruits with high precision. Robots are expected to change the way crops are grown and how inputs are targeted. However, current adoption by growers remains limited.

Using a qualitative approach, this exploratory research analyzes perceptions towards the barriers, drivers and opportunities of robotic technologies to promote greater and sustainable crop production. Fourteen experts were interviewed in California, U.S. regarding their views on the adoption of agricultural robotic technologies.

Results showed that farm labor shortages and increasing labor costs were considered the key factors driving the adoption of robotic technologies. High up-front costs, lack of compatibility between farm equipment, and lack of awareness of potential benefits were the reported barriers for adoption. Experts recognized that adoption of technological innovations can be promoted by aligning needs, expectations and values. Increasing financial and technical support, flexibility in equipment design and compatibility, as well as training were identified factors that can potentially increase adoption of robotics. The research provided valuable insights for future research further exploring robotics in other regions to inform and promote greater adoption of agricultural robotics.