Pros of robot laser weeders:
1. Efficient weed removal: Robot laser weeders can quickly and accurately target and eliminate weeds without damaging the surrounding crops or soil. They can cover large areas in a short amount of time, leading to increased productivity.
2. Cost-effective: Once the initial investment is made, robot laser weeders can significantly reduce labor costs associated with manual weeding or herbicide application. They can operate autonomously and require minimal maintenance.
3. Environmentally friendly: Laser weeders use focused pulses of light to burn weeds, eliminating the need for chemical herbicides that can harm the environment and contaminate groundwater. They provide a natural and non-toxic weed control solution.
4. Improved crop quality: By removing weeds in a precise manner, robot laser weeders help to improve overall crop quality by reducing weed competition for water, nutrients, and sunlight. This can lead to increased yields and better quality produce.
5. Flexibility and adaptability: Robot laser weeders can be programmed to identify and target specific types of weeds, adapting to different crop varieties and growth stages. They can also be used in various agricultural settings, including fields, greenhouses, and vertical farms.
Cons of robot laser weeders:
1. High initial cost: The setup cost for robot laser weeders can be relatively high, which may be a barrier for small or resource-constrained farmers. However, the cost can be mitigated by considering long-term savings in labor and chemical herbicides.
2. Limited effectiveness on some weed species: Laser weeders may not be as effective in removing weeds with deep roots or those that have a strong regrowth ability. Additionally, they may struggle with weeds growing closely or intertwined with desirable crops, as precision targeting becomes more challenging.
3. Weather-dependent: Laser weeders may be affected by adverse weather conditions such as rain, excessive wind, or extreme temperatures. These factors can impact the effectiveness or operation of the laser weeder and may require additional adjustments or precautions.
4. Risk of crop damage: While laser weeders are designed to be precise, there is still a risk of accidental damage to crops if the laser beam is misaligned or if the weeder’s sensors fail to differentiate between weeds and crops. Careful calibration and monitoring are necessary to minimize this risk.
5. Limited applicability in certain contexts: Laser weeders are most commonly used in larger-scale agriculture production systems. They may not be suitable or cost-effective for small-scale farming or for crops that require very specific and delicate handling.
Example Weeder
The Carbon Robotics LaserWeeder is a machine that uses high-power lasers to eradicate weeds using thermal energy, without disturbing the soil. The LaserWeeder can eliminate over 200,000 weeds per hour and offer up to 80% cost savings in weed control. It is a 20-foot-wide unit comprised of three rows of 10 lasers that are pulled behind a tractor. The machine uses AI vision, machine learning, and cameras to scan crop fields in real-time as its onboard computer uses algorithms to identify weeds and protect crops. The LaserWeeder is better than spraying herbicides, hand weeding, or mechanical weeding, and it works on 40+ crops. Laserweeding is safe, more effective than herbicides, and improves yields. The LaserWeeder is a revolutionary tool that dramatically reduces out-of-pocket costs while offering predictability and control to weeding. The LaserWeeder is a no-touch, organic method that doesn’t harm crops. [1][2][4]
Citations:
[1] https://carbonrobotics.com
[2] https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/ai-comes-farm-new-technology-tackles-acres-weeds-quickly-robotics-lasers
[3] https://youtube.com/watch?v=vEFxQPJKjo0
[4] https://www.freethink.com/robots-ai/farming-robot
[5] https://engagement.source.colostate.edu/ai-agricultural-farm-robot-demonstration-rocky-ford-colorado/