AI and Laser Based Pesticide and Herbicide machine

Weeds are unwanted plants that compete with crops for resources such as water, nutrients, and light. They can reduce crop yield, quality, and profitability, as well as increase the risk of pests and diseases. Weed control is therefore an essential part of agricultural management, but it also poses significant challenges for farmers and the environment.

Operating on diesel rather than batteries, this robot can eradicate agricultural weeds for up to 20 hours per day. | Photo: Carbon Robotics

Traditionally, farmers have relied on methods such as herbicides, mechanical weeding, and hand weeding to tackle weeds. However, these methods have several limitations and drawbacks. Herbicides can be harmful to human health, wildlife, and beneficial organisms, as well as contribute to the development of herbicide-resistant weeds. Mechanical weeding can damage the soil structure, cause erosion, and disturb the crop roots. Hand weeding is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly.

In recent years, a new technology has emerged that promises to revolutionize weed management: AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide. This technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) and lasers to identify and kill weeds with precision and efficiency, without harming the crops or the environment. In this article, we will explore how this technology works, what are its benefits and challenges, and what are its implications for the future of agriculture.

How AI Based Laser Based Pesticide and Herbicide Machine Works

AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide is a technology that combines sensors, cameras, lasers, and AI algorithms to weed crops autonomously. The technology works as follows:

• Sensors and cameras scan the field and capture images of the plants.

• AI algorithms analyze the images and classify the plants as weeds or crops, based on their shape, color, size, and location.

• Lasers emit high-power beams of light that heat up and destroy the weeds, while sparing the crops and the soil.

• The technology repeats the process continuously, covering large areas of land in a short time.

One of the pioneers of this technology is Carbon Robotics, a Seattle-based company that developed an autonomous weeder that can kill over 200,000 weeds per hour with 30 laser modules. The autonomous weeder is a four-wheel platform that can be attached to the back of a tractor and operate day or night in almost any weather condition. Another example is Laser Weeder, a pull-behind robot that uses 12 lasers to weed 15 to 20 acres of crops in one day. Both products are designed for specialty row crops, such as onions, carrots, lettuce, and broccoli.

Benefits of AI Based Laser Based Pesticide and Herbicide Machine

AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide Machine offers many benefits for farmers and the environment. Some of the benefits are:

• Improved weed control: The technology can eliminate weeds with high accuracy and speed, without damaging the crops or the soil. It can also target weeds that are resistant to herbicides or hard to reach by mechanical or hand weeding.

• Reduced labor and chemical costs: The technology can reduce the need for manual labor, which can be scarce, expensive, and unreliable. It can also reduce the dependence on herbicides, which can be costly, hazardous, and ineffective.

• Increased crop yield and quality: The technology can increase the crop yield and quality by reducing the competition and interference from weeds, as well as the stress and damage from herbicides or mechanical weeding.

• Enhanced soil health: The technology can preserve the soil structure, fertility, and microbiome, by avoiding soil disturbance, erosion, and chemical contamination.

The technology also has positive impacts on the environment, such as:

• Reduced herbicide use: The technology can reduce the amount of herbicides applied to the fields, which can have negative effects on human health, wildlife, and beneficial organisms, as well as contribute to water pollution and soil degradation.

• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: The technology can reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, that are associated with herbicide production, transportation, and application, as well as with soil disturbance and decomposition.

• Reduced water consumption: The technology can reduce the water consumption for weed control, by avoiding the need for herbicide spraying or irrigation for mechanical weeding.

• Increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration: The technology can increase the biodiversity and carbon sequestration of the agroecosystem, by promoting the growth of diverse and beneficial plants, animals, and microorganisms, and the buildup of organic material in the soil.

Many farmers and experts have praised the technology for its benefits and potential. For example, Jeff Morrison, director of innovation and new technology at Grimmway Farms, one of the largest organic vegetable growers in the world, said: “This revolutionary approach to weeding has the potential to deliver precision, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in organic weeding that has not previously been available, making it an ideal solution to weed management.” Similarly, John Mey, Carbon Robotics director of engineering, said: "We have demonstrated the effectiveness of our laser weeding technology and the substantial benefits it provides to farmers, such as healthier crops and soil, reduced herbicide usage, and decreased." chemical and labor costs.”

Challenges and Limitations of AI Based Laser Based Pesticide and Herbicide Machine

AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide is a promising technology, but it also faces some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed. Some of the challenges and limitations are:

• Technical barriers: The technology requires high levels of accuracy, reliability, and robustness, to ensure that it can identify and kill weeds effectively, without harming the crops or the environment. It also requires high levels of power, efficiency, and durability, to ensure that it can operate continuously, without consuming too much energy or requiring frequent maintenance.

• Economic barriers: The technology requires high levels of investment, innovation, and competition, to ensure that it can become affordable, available, and profitable for farmers. It also requires high levels of integration, adaptation, and optimization, to ensure that it can fit into the existing farming systems and practices, as well as meet the specific needs and preferences of different crops and regions.

• Social barriers: The technology requires high levels of awareness, education, and acceptance, to ensure that it can gain the trust and support of farmers, consumers, and the public. It also requires high levels of collaboration, communication, and participation, to ensure that it can benefit from the feedback and input of various stakeholders, such as researchers, developers, regulators, and advocates.

• Regulatory barriers: The technology requires high levels of regulation, standardization, and certification, to ensure that it can comply with the legal, ethical, and environmental norms and rules. It also requires high levels of monitoring, evaluation, and verification, to ensure that it can demonstrate its safety, efficacy, and sustainability.

To overcome or mitigate these challenges and limitations, the technology needs to:

• Improve the performance, affordability, accessibility, and safety of the technology, by enhancing the quality, functionality, and usability of the sensors, cameras, lasers, and AI algorithms, as well as reducing the cost, energy, and maintenance requirements of the technology.

• Engage with stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers, by conducting more research, development, and testing of the technology, as well as providing more information, education, and demonstration of the technology, to increase its awareness, understanding, and acceptance.

• Further research, development, and adoption of the technology, by exploring new applications, opportunities, and challenges of the technology, as well as addressing the remaining gaps, issues, and questions of the technology, to increase its impact, value, and potential.

What is the cost of AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide machine?

The cost of AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide varies depending on the product, the manufacturer, and the service model. According to some web sources, the technology can cost in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars, which is roughly the same as a mid-size tractor. However, some companies also offer leasing options or charge per acre of weeding service, which can reduce the upfront investment for farmers. For example, FarmWise sells robots’ weeding labor, rather than the robots themselves, charging roughly $200 an acre. The technology can also save costs in the long run by reducing the need for labor, herbicides, and water, as well as increasing the crop yield and quality.

How can I get started with using AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide machine?

Find a suitable product or platform that offers this technology for your crop and region. You can search online or contact some of the companies that provide this service, such as Carbon Robotics, Laser Weeder, WeLASER, or FarmWise.

Learn how to operate and maintain the technology, such as how to attach it to your tractor, how to adjust the settings, how to monitor the performance, and how to troubleshoot any issues. You can consult the user manuals, online tutorials, or customer support of the product or platform you choose.

Test and evaluate the technology on your field, such as how well it detects and kills weeds, how much it saves on labor and herbicide costs, how much it improves your crop yield and quality, and how much it impacts your soil health and environment. You can compare the results with your previous or alternative methods of weed control.

Conclusion

AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide is a novel and eco-friendly technology that can revolutionize weed management in agriculture. It uses artificial intelligence and lasers to identify and kill weeds with precision and efficiency, without harming the crops or the environment. It offers many benefits for farmers, such as improved weed control, reduced labor and chemical costs, increased crop yield and quality, and enhanced soil health. It also has positive impacts on the environment, such as reduced herbicide use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption, as well as increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

However, the technology also faces some challenges and limitations that need to be addressed, such as technical, economic, social, and regulatory barriers. The technology needs to improve its performance, affordability, accessibility, and safety, as well as engage with stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers, to overcome or mitigate these challenges and limitations. The technology also needs further research, development, and adoption, to explore new applications, opportunities, and challenges, as well as to address the remaining gaps, issues, and questions.

AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide is a promising technology that has the potential to transform the future of agriculture and the environment. It is a sustainable solution for weed management that can benefit both farmers and the planet.

We hope that this article has provided you with some useful information and insights on this topic. If you have any opinions, questions, or feedback, please feel free to share them with us in the comments section below. Thank you for reading and have a great day!

Reference & Resources

1. Whacking Weeds with Lasers https://www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/whacking-weeds-with-lasers 

2. This new farming robot uses lasers to kill 200,000 weeds per hour https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/farming-robot-lasers-200000-weeds-per-hour 

3. AI-powered laser tool kill 100,000 weeds per hour, in farms https://indiaai.gov.in/news/ai-powered-laser-tool-kill-100-000-weeds-per-hour-in-farms  

4. AI-powered weed destroying startup harvests $27M round, farmers say laser-blasting machine saves time and cuts pesticide use https://www.geekwire.com/2021/carbon-robotics-raises-27m-ai-powered-weed-destroying-machine-used-farmers/

FAQs

1. What is AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide machine?

Ans. AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide is a technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and lasers to identify and kill weeds with precision and efficiency, without harming the crops or the environment.

2. How does AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide machine work?

Ans. AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide works by scanning the field with sensors and cameras, analyzing the images with AI algorithms, and targeting and eliminating the weeds with lasers that emit high-power beams of light.

3. What are the benefits of AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide machine?

Ans. AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide offers many benefits for farmers and the environment, such as improved weed control, reduced labor and chemical costs, increased crop yield and quality, enhanced soil health, reduced herbicide use, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption, and increased biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

4. What are the challenges and limitations of AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide machine?

Ans. AI based laser based pesticide and herbicide faces some challenges and limitations, such as technical, economic, social, and regulatory barriers. The technology needs to improve its performance, affordability, accessibility, and safety, as well as engage with stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers, to overcome or mitigate these challenges and limitations.