Breakthroughs in Field Robotics

Tech Panel: The progression of robotics since Shakey the robot has been remarkable. Yet there are still many challenges that field robotics must surmount: outmatching humans in pick and place-like applications, maneuvering in tight spaces at high speeds, dealing with adversaries, being resilient and finding a representation of the physical environment that allows for dexterity, manipulation of objects and mobility through deformable or unstable terrains. This panel will address the next breakthroughs in field robotics, define future challenges and explore ways that DARPA can accelerate their development.

[Lolo_Pas]

Extensive Farming (current commercial, mechanized, and chemical systems), need to be heavily altered and augmented to continue to be relevant. Food production is much more productive when carried out in biologically directed intensive small scale systems.
Solve erosion, compaction, and pollution issues first. Then create robots that subsistence farming villages and communities can easily afford.
How can these systems conserve irrigation water and combat, erosion, and pollution?
what studies have you done on wind erosion from downdraft on aerial robots?

[rumlsdrinkin]

I'd like to see a team of 12 atlas robots, maybe supported by a crane and some drones, build a 2 story house. Incredibly complicated, small footprint...