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)
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.
My yard is full of rats, extra rats because I feed the birds ! I mean it’s bad they run around like it’s a fun zone , my yard is beautiful and well kept and it bums me out because I can’t have a veggie garden , the rats eat everything . Even before the birds there were a lot of rats , im in San Diego and they are canyon rats , we have lots of trails and canyons near beach areas and plenty of rats , cats can’t survive because of the coyotes . So it’s a nightmare .