In context
In mid-2024, agricultural robotics was gaining traction as labor shortages and herbicide resistance pushed growers toward automated alternatives. Carbon Robotics, a leader in AI-powered farming, had been deploying its LaserWeeder since 2022, and this milestone underscored the technology's rapid adoption across global markets.
What was reported
Carbon Robotics announced that its fleet of LaserWeeders has eliminated more than 10 billion weeds across North America, Australia, and Europe since launch. The system works on over 100 crops, including lettuce, leafy greens, onions, carrots, broccoli, and herbs, without chemical herbicides or hand-pulling.
CEO Paul Mikesell noted that achieving this in 24 months would have required 100 people weeding continuously for 10 years. The LaserWeeder enables growers to redirect labor to higher-value tasks, improving profitability and control.
A case study by Western Growers Center of Innovation and Technology, based on commercial grower data, found that Triangle Farms in California saw up to a 50 percent crop yield increase after one year of using the LaserWeeder.
“It would take 100 people 10 years of continuous hand-weeding to eliminate 10 billion weeds.”
Why it mattered
This milestone demonstrated that AI-driven laserweeding could deliver measurable economic benefits at scale, offering a viable alternative to chemical herbicides and manual labor. It signaled a shift toward precision, autonomous tools in agriculture, with implications for reducing input costs and improving sustainability in food production.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-07-04 · “Carbon Robotics celebrates more than 10 billion weeds eliminated”