Research Article Volume 9 Issue 1
Professor of mechanization and agricultural machines, Autonomous Agrarian, Antonio Narro University, Mexico
Correspondence: Jaime Cuauhtemoc Negrete, Professor of mechanization and agricultural machines, Autonomous Agrarian, Antonio Narro University, Mexico
Received: September 24, 2024 | Published: January 16, 2025
Citation: Negrete JC. Robotics in agriculture and the teaching of mathematics. Horticult Int J. 2025;9(1):1-5. DOI: 10.15406/hij.2025.09.00315
Robotics is a valuable tool for teaching mathematics as it allows students to see the practical applications of mathematical concepts in real-life situations, students can use robotics to learn about geometry and spatial reasoning by designing and programming robots to move through specific paths or shapes, in addition also use robotics to explore algebraic and numerical concepts by programming robots to perform calculations or model real-world problems. As well, robotics develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they design, build, test, and refine their robots. Overall, incorporating robotics into mathematics education can help make math more engaging and relevant for students.In conclusion, robotics in agriculture and the teaching of mathematics provide students with opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on learning, analytical thinking, quantitative decision-making, problem-solving strategies, and collaborative work.
Keywords: robotics, agriculture, teaching, mathematics
Integrating mathematics into robotics education in the context of agriculture can be done in various ways.
In mathematics, systematic reviews are common this is demonstrated by; García,1 Jou,2 Castro,3 Zabala-Vargas,4 Plaza,5 Ojeda,6 Salazar,7 Méndez,8 Kanobel,9 however, in this work, a semi-systematic review of the literature was carried out, that is, a mixture of narrative review and systematic review whose definitions are exemplified by Reyna,10 and Moreno,11 since some steps of the systematic review and others were omitted because the main objective is to highlight the importance of mechatronics in the teaching of mathematics, the steps that were followed from the systematic review were; define the research questions, review the search for evidence, extract the data and present the results, the omitted steps were; specify the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the results and evaluate the quality of the studies. The search was carried out in academic Google, and the questions was Robotics in Mathematics teaching, and Robotics in Agriculture.
Robotics in mathematics teaching
Robotics is a valuable tool for teaching mathematics as it allows students to see the practical applications of mathematical concepts in real-life situations, students can use robotics to learn about geometry and spatial reasoning by designing and programming robots to move through specific paths or shapes, in addition also use robotics to explore algebraic and numerical concepts by programming robots to perform calculations or model real-world problems. As well, robotics develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills as they design, build, test, and refine their robots. Overall, incorporating robotics into mathematics education can help make math more engaging and relevant for students (Table 1).
Author |
Description |
Year |
Zhong, et al.12 |
Analyzed 20 empirical studies on how to teach and learn mathematical knowledge through robotics. The 20 papers suggest that robotics generally plays an active role in mathematics education; however, there are indeed situations in which no significant improvement was found in students’ mathematical learning. |
2020 |
Gerretson, et al.13 |
Made a small study for further examining ESD issues involved with implementing new technologies and integrating associated activities into the existing mathematics and science curricula to develop an interdisciplinary approach |
2008 |
Felicia, et al.14 |
Review on educational robotics, its advantages to educational fields, the hardware design and the common programming software used which can be implemented among Malaysian students. |
2014 |
Leoste, et al.15 |
Presents the results of the pilot study and discusses the pros and cons of using robots in math education. |
2019 |
González, et al.16 |
Presents the progress of the development of a project where robotics is implemented for the teaching of mathematics in preschool and first-grade students, for which three public schools were selected and a series of recreational activities were developed, using low-cost robotic tools. |
2019 |
Castro, et al.17 |
Concludes in a study that a simulated environment provides sufficient tools to learn basic notions of robotics, without the need for a physical kit, which can be used for educational purposes. for teaching mathematics. |
2022 |
Alzate, et al.18 |
Presents the use of the Botnifacio robot as a playful proposal to teach mathematics (arithmetic) at the preschool level in two schools in Guasave Sinaloa during 2018. Through an action research method and a phenomenological construction, it was found that all children maintain their attention in the activity of Botnifacio, even when they do not have the robot in their hands since it is oriented to the playful dimension |
2019 |
Seckel, et al.19 |
Showed that in general, there is a positive predisposition towards the addition of robots in the learning and teaching of mathematic processes during the first years of school, even though teachers claim there is a struggle to incorporate robots in their lessons due to the high number of students and the reduced space in their classrooms. |
2021 |
Muñoz, et al.20 |
Design, develop and implement educational robotics to improve logical-mathematical skills aimed at preschool and first-grade students in public schools, using programmable educational robots. |
2020 |
Lopez, et al.21 |
Analyses the conditions that are necessary for achieving an effective learning of Mathematics, aided by a robotic platform, results show an impact on the attention and motivation of the students, and they allow for establishing the conditions that need to be met for an effective relationship between the teacher and the technological tool, so that better learning outcomes in Mathematics are more likely to be obtained. |
2020 |
Fernandes, et al.22 |
Present and discuss an activity realized with K-8 level students using robots to learn functions in the mathematics classroom. Research presented is framed by project DROIDE which is a three-years project. |
2006 |
Caudana, et al.23 |
Developed and implemented an experimental protocol that allows us to improve the levels of focusing on Mexican high school students during a math class using an NAO robot. Three different scenarios were studied. |
2019 |
Saez-Lopez, et al.24 |
This study highlights the importance of an educational design that includes robotics and programming through a visual programming language as a means to enable students to improve substantially their understanding of the elements of logic and mathematics. |
2019 |
Table 1 Robotics in mathematics education
Agricultural robots in México
Agricultural robots, also known as agri-bots or, are advanced technological systems designed to assist in various farming tasks. These robots can automate processes such as planting, harvesting, irrigation, fertilization, and crop monitoring. In Mexico, the adoption of agricultural robots has been gaining momentum in recent years. These technologies are being embraced to enhance efficiency, productivity, and sustainability within the agriculture sector. Some notable applications of agricultural robots in Mexico include:1 Harvesting: Robots can be employed for the automated picking of crops like fruits, berries, and vegetables to reduce labor-intensive efforts.2 Weed control: Autonomous robots equipped with vision systems and artificial intelligence can identify and selectively remove weeds, minimizing the need for herbicides.3 Crop monitoring: Drones equipped with sensors and imaging technologies are used to capture data on plant health, identify areas needing attention, and optimize resource allocation.4 Irrigation management: Smart irrigation systems integrated with robots allow for precise water usage and efficient irrigation practices, conserving water resources.5 Soil analysis: Robots equipped with sensors can analyze soil quality and make intelligent fertilizer recommendations, optimizing nutrient application. These advancements in agricultural robotics aim to improve productivity, address labor shortages, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance overall farm management practices in Mexico. It is important to note that while the integration of agricultural robots is growing, their adoption may vary across different regions and farm sizes.
Agricultural mechanization is the only way to dramatically increase productivity, being that in the XXI century is to be applied at the highest level, automation and robotics. In the country's efforts are minimal research and development of agricultural robotics. Being in full disadvantage to countries like Brazil, Argentina and Chile have already started research in this segment of robotics. It must start encouraging the creation of groups among the leading universities in research on robotics as the IPN, UNAM, IPN-CINVESTAV Tamaulipas and IPN-CINVESTAV Saltillo, Technological University of the Mixteca, University of Guanajuato and agricultural research institutions like INIFAP, COLPOS, and Antonio Narro Agrarian Autonomous University. So, the experience and capacity of research institutions on robotics and research institutions in agricultural sciences to advance the development of this discipline in Mexico would take advantage. The aim of this paper is to review the current status of robotics applications in Mexican agriculture, examine future prospects, and demonstrate that Mexico needs to make greater efforts, as research in agricultural robotics is significantly lagging. Negrete25 many other tasks in agriculture in greenhouses can be made with robots. Past literature has reported many successful cases about crops in greenhouses. The main function of greenhouses is to recreate and keep adequate and controlled conditions of light, humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide, and pesticides, among others, in a confined space to grow plants for diverse purposes. However, those conditions can be potentially harmful to humans who work in greenhouses. An alternative to overcome this is the application of robotics in those agricultural sites, adequately applying Artificial Intelligence and mechanical subsystems that are part of a robot (Table 2).26
Author |
Description |
Year |
Hernandez, et al.27 |
Redesign the irrigation robot BCC Cpmbi Boom, for which analyze the variables; measures overall working speed gear motor type, pump type, water consumption in nozzles, pressure waterpipes, transport system, etc. perform static, dynamic, hydraulic load, to obtain superior characteristics in actual robot operation |
2007 |
Ramirez, et al.28 |
For the construction of the robot, a structure was design that could adapt easily to the trunk of the tree (inclination, height and diameter). The structure has a crank-connecting rod system that is capable of climbing the palm tree and carries at the same time a motor, a battery and a camera witch all together weighs 7 kg. The systems of artificial vision includes a camera IP that takes images to recognize the robot position. An algorithm that detects ellipses identifies the presence of coconut. The rod-crank mechanism used despite being very rustic, was effective for climb the robot on the palm. It also helps reduce the presence of motors on the robot, greatly reducing the amount of electronic devices on its control. |
2013 |
Llamas, et al.29 |
Calculation of a two-degree-of-freedom robotic arm fitted with a video camera to capture images of plants, which will then be transmitted to a computer for analysis. |
2014 |
Anonimous, et al.30 |
A group of students at the Technological Institute created the prototype of a robotic solar vehicle that improves the sowing and reforestation works through programming trajectories. The robotic car was designed with a mechanism that can plow the crop field and thus speed up the process. The vehicle is aligned with a dispenser, which enables to sow the seeds that are then covered by a shovel installed in the bottom of the device |
2016 |
Salinas, et al.31 |
The development of an agricultural robot in Mexico for teachers and students at UACH is a multifunctional vehicle designed for agricultural tasks. It features an innovative suspension system, autonomous navigation between crop rows using computer vision, enabling crop monitoring, fertilizer application, pest and disease control, and the ability to plant various types of grains. |
2023 |
Miranda, et al.32 |
Designed a prototype of an autonomous mobile robot to characterize crop soils and investigate the effects of radiation during the germination of corn seeds and seedlings. |
2021 |
Cortez, et al.33 |
Proposed a sowing robot for application in agriculture in the region. Proposal for the design of a seeder robot, which was carried out in the CAD software SolidWorks 2018®. Likewise, the conditions and mechanical and electronic devices to be used were proposed. The latter proposes the use of microcontrollers from the XIDE platform and microprocessors from the Raspberry Pi platform, where they are the components to be physically implemented. |
2019 |
Table 2 Agricultural robots designed in Mexico
Agricultural Robotics and the teaching of mathematics can greatly contribute to the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills in students.
Incorporating agricultural robotics education into mathematics can have several potential benefits:
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