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from the taking-ai-robot-lasers-down-in-the-dirt dept.
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:
By combining artificial intelligence with precision laser technology, companies like Carbon Robotics are reshaping the way farmers tackle one of agriculture's most labor-intensive tasks. These futuristic machines offer a glimpse into the potential of sustainable farming, where innovation meets efficiency, paving the way for a healthier and more productive future for agriculture.
[...] In the face of persistent agricultural challenges, technology has emerged as a transformative force, with farming robots leading the way. Carbon Robotics' Autonomous Weeder is a standout example of how innovation can revolutionize agriculture. This remarkable machine is designed to address the dual problems of labor shortages and environmental damage caused by conventional weed management practices. By combining artificial intelligence with advanced laser technology, the Autonomous Weeder delivers an unprecedented level of precision and efficiency.
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.
[...] The LaserWeeder is equipped with three times the lasers of the original model, enabling it to kill up to 200,000 weeds per hour. This incredible efficiency makes it one of the most effective weed management tools available. In just one hour, the LaserWeeder can cover two acres of farmland, a feat that would take human laborers days to achieve. [...] This targeted approach not only boosts productivity but also supports healthier, more sustainable farming practices.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday November 26, @08:48PM (5 children)
I have been thinking for many years now: "This is the way." Optical species recognition, energy (heat) based selection instead of chemicals. Of course, weeds will evolve and start to mimic the crops in appearance, but I think tech can stay ahead of that. Just bring appropriate (typically minimal) water and nutrients along with the weed killing bots and keep the crops growing strongly without a bunch of questionable genetic modifications, chemical doping, etc.
Of course, lasers killing the insect pests is even more entertaining...
🌻🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 3, Interesting) by corey on Tuesday November 26, @09:27PM (1 child)
Me too. And the demise of Monsanto’s grip on lowly farmers (now Bayer).
I think there'll always be a limitation to using lasers since it needs to be direct line of sight, to the central point of the weed. But yeah looking keenly at how it progresses.
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday November 26, @09:37PM
Not just lasers, physical cutting and pulling works too, though the maintenance on lasers certainly is easier than knives and pincers in the dirt.
I like the idea of a "mothership" carrying the heavy power and compute resources, then a bunch of lightweight rechargeable semi-autonomous but ultimately remote controlled bots swarm out of it and send back photos for processing / kill orders based on what's seen. There could even be a much smaller swarm of "assist bots" that go out and pick up the little ones that get into trouble, say you've got one mothership cruising every 80 acres or so, 800 mini-bots out doing the dirty work, and maybe 8 to 24 assist bots that are more physically capable which can go out and rescue mini-bots that got stuck, ran low on power, etc. By the time the mothership has deployed all 800 mini-bots, it should have come full circle on the pattern and starts recovering the mini-bots for recharge, cleaning, etc.
Then, when North Korean troops start marching in, the mini-bots can swarm them and cut their Achilles' tendons with their weeding knives...
🌻🌻🌻 [google.com]
(Score: 3, Insightful) by KritonK on Wednesday November 27, @06:00AM
Will they, though. Evolution is a slow process. If a weed evolves slightly towards the direction of looking, say, like a lettuce, it will still look enough like a weed, for the laser-wielding
sharkrobot to kill it, so it will be unable to pass its genes to the next generation, for it to evolve further. It would have to spontaneously turn into something that looks like a lettuce, which is highly unlikely. Not to mention, that if it also tastes like a lettuce, it will be a lettuce, and it will no longer be a weed. Then again, it would have to stay in that lettuce field. If its seeds drift to another field, or if farmers rotate their crops, a lettuce in a wheat field is a weed, and theDalekrobot will exterminate it.(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday November 27, @03:03PM (1 child)
Some kids would propose that a magnifying glass is a less techful solution.
Some people need assistants to hire some assistance.
Other people need assistance to hire some assistants.
(Score: 2) by JoeMerchant on Wednesday November 27, @03:21PM
But that requires mosquito food in the loop for the 6 DOF magnifying glass control - lasers are easier to target at a distance for simple 2 DOF aiming control.
🌻🌻🌻 [google.com]