Faced with rising pressure for a $17 per hour minimum wage rate, the farming industry is currently exploring the possible use of robotics to replace some farm workers. The Helping Hand is one such robot; its job is to thin out a field of lettuce, removing the least promising buds of lettuce. By removing these weaker plants, the stronger lettuce plants have more room to grow. Assume the following facts: (Click the icon to view the information.) Cost-Benefit Analysis Expected Benefits (Cost Savings): Total expected benefits Expected Costs: Total expected costs Net expected benefit (cost) -C While the Helping Hand itself may be in workable condition for up to five years, assume that the farm would view its implementation as a one-year experiment. Requirement Perform a cost-benefit analysis for the first year of implementation to determine whether the Helping Hand would be a financially viable investment if the minimum wage is raised to $17 per hour. (Round your answers to the nearest whole dollar.) Cost and Benefit Information 1. One Helping Hand would do the work of 20 farm workers. 2. Each farm worker typically works 60 hours on the lettuce thinning process each year. 3. Each farm worker would earn $17 per hour plus 7.65% payroll tax. 4. The Helping Hand is estimated to cost $8,500 plus $850 for delivery. 5. Annual costs of operating the Helping Hand are expected to be $1,400. Print Done