In context
In early 2023, agricultural robotics was gaining traction as labor shortages and herbicide resistance pushed growers toward precision automation. Carbon Robotics' LaserWeeder represented a novel application of AI and laser technology to address a costly, labor-intensive task: weed control.
What was reported
Carbon Robotics announced $30 million in Series C funding, led by Sozo Ventures, with participation from existing investors. Total funding reached $67 million. The capital will support North American sales expansion, manufacturing scale-up, new product development, and international market entry.
The LaserWeeder uses 30 high-powered CO2 lasers to thermally destroy weed meristems with millimeter accuracy, without harming crops or disturbing soil. It has eliminated over 500 million weeds across 40 crops, with deployments planned in 17 US states and three Canadian provinces in 2023.
The company also introduced LaserThinning, an industry-first capability for thinning overseeded vegetable crops to optimize spacing and yield. Rob Freelen of Sozo Ventures and Erik Benson of Voyager Capital joined the board.
Why it mattered
This funding underscored the commercial viability of AI-driven precision weeding as an alternative to herbicides and manual labor, offering a scalable solution that could reshape sustainable farming practices and reduce chemical use in agriculture.
“The LaserWeeder uniquely addresses all of these challenges.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2023-04-16 · “Carbon Robotics raises $30 million in funding to scale its AI-powered LaserWeeder platform”