Digital Farming in Agricultural Machinery: Revolutionizing Farming Through Smart Technologies

A special issue of Machines (ISSN 2075-1702). This special issue belongs to the section "Robotics, Mechatronics and Intelligent Machines".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 | Viewed by 57

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
Interests: engineering education; robotics; precision agriculture; mechatronics; renewable energy

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Natural Science, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
Interests: sustainable robotic agriculture; bioenergy; STEM education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Digital farming is revolutionizing agriculture by integrating smart technologies into both traditional and innovative farming practices. Traditional horizontal farming in medium- to large-scale farms has witnessed technological advancement, often referred to as "precision agriculture", that leverages digital tools to enhance productivity and sustainability. Key technologies include GPS systems, drones, combine harvesters, and sprayers equipped with GPS and other sensors, which enable farmers to monitor and manage crops and livestock with unprecedented accuracy. GPS technology allows for precise planting, agronomic inputs, and efficient harvesting, reducing waste and optimizing yields. These innovations not only streamline operations but also promote resource efficiency, leading to reduced environmental impact. The growing world population and rapid urbanization are also driving a surge in demand for innovative farming solutions, leading to the rise of vertical and indoor farming. As cities expand and arable land becomes scarcer, these methods offer sustainable alternatives to traditional agriculture. Vertical farming, which stacks layers of crops in controlled environments, and indoor farming, which grows plants within buildings, both utilize advanced sensing technologies and intelligent robots and machinery to maximize space and efficiency. By harnessing these smart technologies and adopting advances in artificial intelligence tools, digital farming is helping farmers and other food production practitioners adapt to changing climate conditions and market demands, ultimately leading to more sustainable and profitable agricultural practices. The integration of digital tools in farming machinery is setting a new standard for the industry, driving a transformative shift towards smarter, data-informed agriculture.

We invite submissions from industrial and academic researchers, farming practitioners, and educators for a Special Issue on 'Digital Farming in Agricultural Machinery: Revolutionizing Farming through Smart Technologies', (may be changed), focusing on the integration of AI, precision agriculture, and innovative methods like vertical and indoor farming to address the challenges of growing food for a growing world population in a sustainable manner.

Prof. Dr. Abhijit Nagchaudhuri
Dr. Madhumi Mitra
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • precision agriculture
  • digital farming
  • GPS
  • drones
  • vertical farming
  • indoor and urban agriculture
  • smart combine harvesters and sprayers
  • agronomic sensors
  • data science and AI
  • sustainability
  • STEM education and agriculture
  • farm machinery and robotics

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Published Papers

This special issue is now open for submission.
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