Applications of robotics in sustainable development

Abstract

Robotics is a fast‐growing area with many implications for sustainable development. Thanks to its scope and potential, it may be regarded as a transformative field which, under a sustainability perspective, may be deployed and help to address global and major problems such as climate change, resource depletion, and social inequality. Based on the need for studies focusing on the nexus robotics‐sustainable development, this paper investigates the contribution of robotics for promoting sustainability in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, waste management, and disaster response to provide an account of the potential for sustainable practices for key sustainability. The motivation for this work derives from the need for innovative, scalable robotics to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where robotics could help improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve quality of life in a more efficient manner. The aims of this paper are: (1) to investigate the current implementation of robotics tools in sustainability efforts, (2) to assess their environmental, economic, and social advantages, and (3) to examine the challenges and ethical requirements in their use. The paper explains how robotic technologies—from precision agriculture‐based autonomous drones, automatic sorting robots for recycling, and AI‐driven maintenance for renewable infrastructure—may contribute to sustainable development by studying their features and identifying new trends.