A Specification for an Autonomous Crop Production Mechanization System

This paper describes the specification of requirements and the functionality, of a novel agricultural mechanisation system based on small smart machines. It separates the current mechanisation methods from the original plant requirements and in doing so allows a new specification to develop based on agronomic, economic and environmental needs that can lead to a more sustainable production system. Three main groups of field operations have been identified; Crop establishment, Plant care and Selective harvesting. Each process and operation brings its own challenges and opportunities. The resulting framework should give the basis for mechanisation well into the 21 century.