Agricultural automation is the core technology for computer-aided agricultural production management and implementation. An integration of equipment, infotronics, and precision farming technologies, it creates viable solutions for challenges facing the food, fiber, feed, and fuel needs of the human race now and into the future. This volume is an introduction of automation technologies for agriculture. From basics to applications, topics include agricultural vehicle robots and infotronic systems, precision agriculture, specific agricultural production systems, and automation relative to specific inputs in production systems. The book also explores liability issues with regard to surrounding awareness and worksite management and postharvest automation.

Dr. Qin Zhang is the director of the Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems and a professor of agricultural automation in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Washington State University. His research interests are in the areas of agricultural automation, intelligent agricultural machinery, and agricultural infotronics.

Dr. Francis J. Pierce is a professor emeritus in the Departments of Crop and Soil Sciences and Biological Systems Engineering at Washington State University. He is currently a principal in AgInfomatics, LLC, providing consulting services in agriculture, soil and water conservation, and agriculture technology with a focus on precision agriculture and evaluation of research and outreach projects.

Agricultural Automation: An Introduction. Fundamentals. Agricultural Vehicle Robot. Agricultural Infotronic Systems. Precision Agricultural Systems. Practices. Field Crop Production Automation. Mechanization, Sensing, and Control in Cotton Production. Orchard and Vineyard Production Automation. Automation in Animal Housing and Production. Nutrition Management and Automation. Automation of Pesticide Application Systems. Automated Irrigation Management with Soil and Canopy Sensing. Surrounding Awareness for Automated Agricultural Production. Worksite Management for Precision Agricultural Production. Postharvest Automation. Index.