Ethical and legal challenges of AI in agricultural robots
AI is playing an increasingly important role in autonomous agricultural systems. Vantage Agrometius, in collaboration with Wageningen Research and the ELSA Lab, explored how the ethical, legal, and social aspects of AI can be better assessed. During an ELSA workshop, topics such as transparency, liability, AI legislation, and privacy were examined to improve the acceptance and responsible development of AI-driven agricultural robots.
Innovation package, use case, and type of trial
Open Field Cultivation
E-tractor
Status: evaluation report
Technical functionality
Broad research question
How does an electric tractor perform in practice?
Electric and autonomous agricultural machines offer promising opportunities, but practical experience with them is still limited. This study focuses on the technical performance and user-friendliness of the electric tractor, with attention to driving precision, autonomy, and user experience.
Approach
Technical validation and user experience
The test consisted of two components:
Technical validation:
Analysis of GPS data to measure driving precision and autonomy.User experience:
Operators carried out practical tasks and provided feedback on operation and ease of use.
Due to weather conditions, most tests took place on paved terrain, which limited the simulation of field conditions. Nevertheless, the collected data and user feedback provided a comprehensive picture of performance and areas for improvement.
Goal
Assessment of technical performance and ease of use
The aim was to validate whether the electric tractor meets technical requirements and is user-friendly for farmers. The study examined:
The accuracy of autonomous driving and turning in the field
The repeatability of tasks under varying conditions
The user experience, with a focus on steering behavior, safety, and controls
Researchers, engineers, and practical users analyzed the results and formulated improvement points for further optimization.
Results and reflection
Accurate steering, but room for improvement remains
The test results show that the electric tractor has potential, but further optimization is needed for broader applicability in agriculture.
Successes:
The tractor operated within a five-centimeter margin of accuracy during autonomous tasks.
Operators found the controls intuitive and user-friendly.
Lessons learned:
At higher speeds, the tractor struggled to stay on course.
There were concerns about the emergency stop function when implements were running.
More field trials are needed to test the tractor under varying agricultural conditions.