From the moon to the field

The convergence of robotics and automation, from extraterrestrial exploration to agricultural applications, provides an opportunity to apply new technologies to modern farming use cases. Examining the technologies of space exploration rovers and robots, with a focus on their adaptability to agricultural machinery, highlights the similarities and gaps between extraterrestrial and agricultural robotics. Key features of both types of automated machinery include the definition of operational design domains (ODD) and the use of system reliability and fail-safe metrics. However, since extraterrestrial machinery does not currently pose a threat to humans, animals, and objects, it often lacks functional safety features. This fact may change as soon as humanity establishes colonies on the moons and planets. Subsequently, both extraterrestrial and agricultural robotics technologies can mutually benefit each other. Thus, this work identifies the challenges of adopting extraterrestrial robotics for agriculture to develop groundbreaking solutions. It will also promote interdisciplinary collaboration and adapt safety standards. While automation increases productivity and resource efficiency, ensuring fail-safe performance is essential to building trust. As a consequence, cross-sector partnerships between researchers in extraterrestrial and agricultural robotics are encouraged to enhance the sustainability and resilience of farming on Earth and beyond.