Latest news with #LaserWeederG2
Business Insider
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Agricultural weed control is a delicate process. AI tools could transform how farmers tackle it.
Weeds remain one of the most persistent problems in agriculture. But the biggest issue facing modern farmers isn't getting rid of weeds; mechanical tools and herbicides can do that. Instead, the difficulty lies in identifying and killing weeds without harming crops. Paul Mikesell is the founder of Carbon Robotics, a company that makes AI-powered robots for the agriculture sector, and the former director of infrastructure engineering at Uber. He's spent the past six years developing AI systems that try to solve the big weed problem. His company's solution is the LaserWeeder G2, a machine that automatically detects weeds and zaps them with a laser array. Mikesell told Business Insider that a neural network can be important "to not just find where the weeds are, but to find the perfect place to kill the weed." A neural network is a computational model inspired by how biological brains learn to process information, and is key to how modern AI systems function. Across the agricultural industry, AI tools are beginning to make a difference for farmers. That's good news for an industry struggling against foes like the climate crisis and shifts in trade. From complex robots to chatbots, farmers are testing out a range of tools to hone their processes and achieve goals once out of reach. Machine learning takes the field Mikesell's experience building autonomous vehicle infrastructure at Uber helped shape Carbon Robotics' approach to agricultural AI, applying that same technology to the farming tools he's developing now. The computer vision systems used in autonomous vehicles, including cars, tractors, and other agricultural equipment, often rely on neural networks known as convolutional neural networks. CNNs are a form of neural network that can be trained to detect patterns in images. Carbon Robotics uploads images of weeds to its own database, where human labelers manually identify weeds and crops. These image-label pairs are then used to train a weed-finding CNN that can detect weeds using the LaserWeeder's onboard cameras and computer hardware in the machine itself, meaning no internet connection is required. John Deere, the world's largest agricultural equipment company, also uses CNNs for multiple applications, including its autonomous tractors and See & Spray weed-detection systems. At CES 2025, the company showed its new second-generation "autonomy kit," which can partially or fully automate common tasks, including tillage and weed removal. Sarah Schinckel, the company's director of emerging technologies, said AI has already improved its agricultural equipment. In 2024, she said, John Deere's See & Spray system was used to spray over 1 million acres of farmland. Because the machine only sprays plants identified as weeds, the system was able to weed this acreage using 8 million gallons less herbicide than would typically be needed. "If you think about that savings, as well as just overall productivity and sustainability improvements for them, that's just a win for them all around," Schinckel said. The technology also gives farmers more staffing flexibility. Semi-autonomous harvesting equipment, for example, gives the human operator AI assistance that can adjust the equipment more quickly than a typical operator can react. "You can put somebody who maybe isn't an expert combine operator in a cab, and help them still achieve high performance," said Schinckel. Farmers fire up ChatGPT While big agricultural companies are building tools with complex CNNs and other types of machine learning, some farmers are making use of more accessible AI tools. Phillip Guthrie, a partner at the agriculture consulting firm Nine Creeks Consulting, often gives presentations on new technology in agriculture, including generative AI. He's already seeing farmers pick up ChatGPT for planning and advice. Guthrie recalled a conversation with a farmer who was having trouble with a data analytics platform he used to monitor and track weather at his farm. The analytics had never worked correctly for their operation, "so he just took the raw weather data, threw it into ChatGPT, and started doing analytics." The AI was able to handle the analytics tasks that prior software had failed to address. Guthrie expects more farmers to start using generative AI tools in similarly specific and creative ways, perhaps bypassing the companies that make specialized agri-tech software tools. Two visions for generative AI in agriculture AI techniques like CNNs, which are available today in autonomous agriculture equipment, represent a major leap in technology. Systems like the LaserWeeder G2 and John Deere See & Spray were impossible to imagine a decade ago. However, it's unclear how these task-specific examples of agricultural AI will fit with newer generative AI tools. Mikesell speculated that one solution could lie in integration. Carbon Robotics, like John Deere, doesn't use generative AI for its equipment and has no announced plans to do so. Still, he said that generative AI could become a "planning and human interface" used to operate equipment like the company's automated laser weeders. "I can say to the generative AI system that I want to clear this 2,000 acres," Mikesell said. "Then, it might come with a solution and say, why don't you deploy these laser weeders in this pattern?" Guthrie, meanwhile, thinks that generative AI could drive a "democratization" of the industry that larger companies may well miss out on. While the industry will always need heavy equipment, he said, farmers often express frustrations with the expensive, yet extremely specific, software available to the industry. "The last thing they need is another tool that does one thing. What they want is a tool that does everything," he said. Guthrie said with ever-improving generative AI, "You'll have farmers who could build their own tools, conduct their own analytics, do their own automations, and focus on what they want for themselves."
CNBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
16. Carbon Robotics
Founder: Paul Mikesell (CEO)Launched: 2018Headquarters: Seattle, WashingtonFunding: $157 millionValuation: N/AKey Technologies: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, deep neural networks/deep learning, explainable AI, machine learning, roboticsIndustry: AgriculturePrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 1 (No. 24 in 2024) Seattle-based Carbon Robotics offers an AI-powered laser weeder that attaches to farmers' tractors and looks like a space-age combine, except that it weeds instead of harvests. Supplied with a database of 40 million images, the AI-powered agtech system shoots lasers as it passes over rows of crops, with machine learning enabling it to recognize weeds and kill them at their base using a laser, replacing the need for both manual labor and herbicides. The company says it has destroyed more than 15 billion weeds on more than 100 crops. Carbon Robotics says its approach to weeding increases yields, quality and consistency, and helps preserve topsoil. The latter is a growing global concern, as experts estimate most of the world's topsoil has been degraded to the point that its agriculturally usable life is measured in decades. Carbon Robotics operates in a competitive market, against other agtech innovators including Deere's Blue River Technology and FarmWise. But the bigger legacy competition in the business is related to farmers' limited appetite for change. Global chemical companies including Monsanto (now part of Bayer AG), Syngenta AG and BASF dominate the agriculture market with matched combinations of herbicides and seeds that are sold through platforms controlled by the companies. Cost of agtech upgrades, and unproven technology compared to conventional farming approaches, is an issue. Laser weeder costs can run over $1 million, based on public reports, but farmers that have used the technology have endorsed it. Recently, Carbon Robotics debuted the LaserWeeder G2, a smaller, less expensive version of its technology, though still a significant investment for many farmers in a business that's made inherently risky due to weather and the volatility of global commodities markets. Carbon Robotics is growing quickly, and may have hit the market at the right time. It was founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur Paul Mikesell, who had previously co-founded Isilon Systems, a distributed storage company, which went public in 2006 and was acquired by EMC for $2.5 billion in 2010. Last October, the company announced a $70 million Series D Round to fund a global expansion across North America, Europe and Australia. As Carbon Robotics continues to innovate, consumers' and farmers' awareness of the long-term risks of chemical solutions is growing, as is the awareness among investors tied to AI applications across the economy. The latest venture round included NVIDIA's VC arm NVentures. The company already had a strategic partnership with Nvidia. Carbon Robotics is growing its manufacturing in eastern Washington State, with a recent 70% headcount increase to about 200, and it ultimately has plans to grow its tech applications beyond farming. "There's a lot of people out there that know how to do stuff with their hands," said Mikesell in an interview with GeekWire. "The real driver is having AI systems doing things in the real world. Will Carbon Robotics always be in the ag industry? We'll probably do things well outside it," he said.
Fox News
12-03-2025
- Science
- Fox News
Fox News AI Newsletter: Laser-wielding robots are redefining farming
IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER: - Robot uses lasers to make chemical-free farming a reality - Kamala Harris roasted for trying to tie love of Doritos to Big Tech innovation during AI conference - Chinese humanoid robot lands world's first front flip FARMING MEETS SCI-FI: The LaserWeeder G2 builds on the success of its predecessors to bring submillimeter weed control to a wider range of farms, crops and soil types. CHIPS ACT: Former Vice President Kamala Harris was roasted for delivering another "word salad" on a public stage after trying to tie the "innovation" of Big Tech to her love of nacho cheese Doritos during an artificial intelligence conference. FRONT-FLIPPING ROBOT: Chinese robotics company Zhongqing Robotics, also known as EngineAI, has officially entered the humanoid robotics scene by releasing a video showcasing what it claims is the world's first humanoid robot front flip. FIGHT TO SAVE KIDS: Australia's Murdoch Children's Research Institute is helping scientists use stem cell medicine and artificial intelligence to develop precision therapies for pediatric heart disease, the leading cause of death and disability in children. FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA FacebookInstagramYouTubeTwitterLinkedIn SIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS Fox News FirstFox News OpinionFox News LifestyleFox News Health DOWNLOAD OUR APPS Fox NewsFox BusinessFox WeatherFox SportsTubi WATCH FOX NEWS ONLINE STREAM FOX NATION Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox News here.
Fox News
12-03-2025
- Business
- Fox News
Robot uses lasers to make chemical-free farming a reality
Imagine a future where farming is not only more efficient but also cleaner and greener. That's exactly what Carbon Robotics is promising with its latest innovation, the LaserWeeder G2. This game-changing technology figures to revolutionize weed control by ditching chemicals altogether. It's a solution that's both good for the planet and great for farmers looking to reduce their environmental footprint. The LaserWeeder G2 builds on the success of its predecessors to bring submillimeter weed control to a wider range of farms, crops and soil types. By harnessing the power of lasers, artificial intelligence and advanced robotics, the G2 offers an alternative to traditional herbicides and labor-intensive manual weeding. It is equipped with powerful 240-watt lasers that can destroy weeds with pinpoint accuracy. The G2 also features high-resolution cameras and enhanced optics for precise weed identification, utilizing Carbon AI that processes over 40 million labeled plants for accurate detection. Additionally, it includes target and predict cameras for weed identification. The G2 operates effectively day or night, thanks to its LED lighting system, and its modular design supports widths from 6.6 to 60 feet, making it adaptable to various farm sizes and needs. Underneath its sleek exterior, the LaserWeeder G2 boasts a GPS/LTE antenna for precise positioning, a chiller system for temperature control, self-contained weeding modules, satellite internet connectivity for real-time updates and an electrical cabinet that houses advanced processing units. The LaserWeeder G2 doesn't just remove weeds; it obliterates them. Using optimal thermal energy, the laser explodes cell walls at the meristem, effectively killing the weed from the inside out. This method is not only effective but also prevents regrowth. The company claims an impressive 80% reduction in yearly weed control costs and a 99% kill rate on all types of weeds. Moreover, the LaserWeeder G2 offers models tailored for over 100 specialty crops. The LaserWeeder G2 is versatile, capable of working with a wide range of crops, including leafy greens, onions, carrots and brassicas. This adaptability makes it a valuable asset for farmers who cultivate diverse crops. The G2 isn't just a one-trick pony. Its LaserThinning feature allows it to eliminate 99% of unwanted plants, operate continuously day and night and simultaneously thin and weed crops. This capability makes it a versatile tool for farmers looking to optimize their crop management. Farmers are already seeing the benefits of laser weeding technology. Tanimura & Antle, a leading fresh produce company, has integrated the LaserWeeder into their operations. Scott Rossi, VP of northern farming operations, praises the technology for its efficiency and contribution to sustainable farming practices. While the LaserWeeder G2 is a powerful tool, it's important to note that it's classified as a class 4 laser product. Users must exercise caution to avoid eye or skin exposure to direct or scattered radiation. By offering a chemical-free, labor-reducing solution to weed control, the LaserWeeder G2 has the potential to transform farming practices worldwide. As we move towards more sustainable and efficient agricultural methods, innovations like the LaserWeeder G2 pave the way for a greener, more productive future in farming. With its impressive accuracy, adaptability and potential for cost savings, the LaserWeeder G2 could indeed be the future of farming. As more farmers adopt this technology and real-world data continues to accumulate, we may see a significant shift in how we approach weed control and crop management. Given the LaserWeeder G2's potential to drastically reduce pesticide use and improve crop quality, do you think there should be a major push or incentive program to encourage all farmers to adopt this laser technology? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us at For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Follow Kurt on his social channels: Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions: New from Kurt: Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
