A looming question that must be solved before robotic plant phenotyping capabilities can have significant impact to crop improvement programs is scalability. Current field phenotyping systems rely on exhaustive coverage of a breeding experiment. This works well in relatively small proof-of-concept trials, but will fail as the size of the field gets larger.

Abstract: Networks of autonomous coordinated robots areprototypical examples of cyber-physical systems. Already today and increasingly in the near future, robotic systems will perform a broad range of environmental monitoring and logistic tasks. Aquatic robots will monitor oceanic life and conditions. Teams of vehicles will perform exploration, firefighting and search and rescue operations.