https://carbonrobotics.com/laserweeder
https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/farming-robot-kills-200000-weeds-hour-lasers
The agricultural world is witnessing a remarkable transformation, driven by groundbreaking technology. Among the most fascinating innovations is a farming robot equipped with lasers that can destroy hundreds of thousands of weeds in mere hours. This high-tech solution is not just a marvel of engineering but a timely response to persistent challenges in farming, from labor shortages to the environmental impact of chemical herbicides.
. . . The robot operates with minimal human intervention, scanning rows of crops using 12 high-resolution cameras that detect weeds in real time. Its onboard AI system processes this information, distinguishing weeds from crops with incredible accuracy. Once a weed is identified, carbon dioxide lasers target and destroy it instantly, leaving the surrounding soil undisturbed. This approach eliminates the need for chemical herbicides, reducing environmental harm while preserving soil health. It also alleviates the physical burden of manual weeding, offering farmers a more efficient alternative.
Beyond its functional benefits, the introduction of robots like the Autonomous Weeder marks a significant shift in the agricultural sector. These machines demonstrate the potential of integrating AI into farming practices, enabling farmers to achieve more with fewer resources. As the capabilities of such robots continue to expand, they are not only solving immediate issues but also setting the stage for a future defined by sustainable and technologically advanced agriculture.
. . . Economically, the LaserWeeder is a sound investment. While the initial cost may seem substantial, its ability to cut weeding expenses by up to 80% means that the machine pays for itself within two to three years. This rapid return on investment, combined with its labor-saving capabilities, makes it a practical choice for farms of all sizes. As more farmers experience its benefits firsthand, the LaserWeeder is solidifying its place as a vital tool for modern agriculture.
(more, including pix and a short video)
"Weeds" are not what we need to eliminate. The weeds are earth's natural mechanism to balance out nutrients in the soil. Weeds have strong tendency to sustain, pull minerals deep from underneath and bring them to the surface. They are excellent composting materials when naturally perished depending on the season. Don't go against the nature, but work with the nature to discover wonders and gifts it gives. Most "weeds" are actually either edible as foods or excellent medicines.
I understand the need to remove weeds in mass agriculture to yield profits. But that's the fundamental problem with Big foods. The food grown in such fields are not natural. Mono-culture is not only harmful to the soil but also destroys Eco-system all around it. The earth is meant to express itself by encouraging variety of flora and fauna on its surface. If we just allow it to to what it wants/needs to do, we would thrive along just fine. That's the principle of permaculture, which is a fast growing initiative by many awakened farmers these days.
Robots with AI and lasers on mass scale? What could go wrong? I can't believe all the excited comments on this post! I thought this was a conservative forum.
The excitement is because poison chemicals being sprayed on our FOOD is a bad thing, and this can eliminate much of that.
As for your point about the benefits of weeds: I suspect what needs to happen is to optimize the robot's actions: kill all of only X1 weeds, 20% of of X2 weeds, kill 50% of X3 weeds every other year, and so on. There will be some algorithm that will minimize the harm and maximize the benefits of this method of farming.
Having said that, I believe you are correct that small-scale farming is better for the land, regardless of the care taken, than large-scale factory farming.
Yes, we have to go after pesticide companies for sure. Roundup and Monsanto were already in massive lawsuits and pretty sure, many more are in the queue.
But the mindset programmed into the AI is still very mainstream. I do my own gardening in my backyard, I don't pull out any weeds. I actually eat many of them. In spring my backyard is full of various greens, but are not popular or sold in the markets although they are rich in nutrients and minerals (dandelions, wild lettuce, mallow, lambsquarters, purslane, etc). I know that these help build healthy soil as I observed and I hardly have to water my garden since roots of these weeds hold water and nutrients that help with other formal crops.
Trying to solve one problem, we are introducing myriads of other problems like always. Let the nature be nature.
Yes let nature be nature . I love my lizards, in my yard, I always Call them my little frens as they run around .
Me too! I don't like the rats though... they are just evil.
Yeah, like dandelions for example, great for cancer and makes good tea.
Sounds like a new Isaac Asimov book, unless you can use "I, Robot" as an example here!
I love your comment , so true my fren ! Best thing I’ve read in awhile . I hope you live in a beautiful area in our country !
Thank you fren, I wish I was in a rural area, but no, I am in the city, in the heart of silicon valley.
Oh so you’re in Cali too ?