Robots in livestock management

Abstract

Robotization was expected to relieve mankind from the duress of hard work and at times also represented a job liberation phenomenon thereby enhancing the overall quality of life. Recently, technology has expanded into the livestock management sector to develop a number of systems that are diverse and complex. This article gives an overview on the use of robotics in livestock management. The historical development of robotics and subsequent application to the different livestock types and production systems is presented. The role and contribution of robotics in precision livestock farming is also discussed. Additionally, this article includes an assessment of the impacts of robot-animal, human-animal, and human-robot interactions.