China Develops AI-Powered Laser Robot for Chemical-Free Weed Control

A team of Chinese researchers has developed an autonomous, artificial intelligence-powered robot that eliminates weeds using high-energy lasers, reducing the need for mechanical cultivation and eliminating the use of synthetic chemical herbicides.

The project was developed by the Changchun University of Science and Technology and Ningbo Yibin Electronic Technology, supported by funding of 20 million yuan (approximately €2.5 million).

Once field testing is completed, the robot is expected to enter mass production by the end of the year.

The autonomous system uses AI to identify weeds and precisely target them with high-energy laser beams. The technology enables accurate weed control without damaging surrounding crops.

The research team was established in 2023 and has since developed four successive prototypes, continuously improving precision, autonomy, and operating speed.

The fourth-generation model has reduced the time between weed identification and laser activation to less than 10 milliseconds.

The robot can distinguish between crops and weeds with an accuracy of more than 99.5%. So far, the AI models have been trained to recognize weeds in around a dozen different crop types.

Operating at speeds of up to 3.6 km/h, the robot can destroy between 50,000 and 100,000 weeds per hour, depending on the weed species and infestation level. This is reported to be more than 50 times faster than manual weeding.

The technology has already resulted in seven national patent applications, four of which have already been approved.

The primary goal is to reduce the environmental impact associated with herbicide use, a challenge that is particularly significant in intensive farming regions, not only in China but worldwide. By eliminating chemical weed control, the technology aims to protect soil health and improve the sustainability of agricultural production.

Looking ahead, the research team plans to integrate advanced sensors, cloud-based management systems, and multi-robot coordination to further enhance efficiency and performance.

The innovation offers a promising solution for reducing labour costs, improving farm management efficiency, and creating a more sustainable model for modern agriculture.

China is not alone in pursuing laser-based weed control. Similar developments are emerging around the world, including from Swiss company Caterra AG, which has developed the Honeybee robot. Weighing around 1,300 kg, the machine is relatively lightweight for its category and is designed to minimize soil compaction while performing autonomous field operations.

How Suolo e Salute Supports Organic Weeding

Effective weed management is one of the biggest challenges in organic farming, where the use of synthetic herbicides is prohibited. Suolo e Salute supports organic producers by verifying compliance with organic production standards through inspections and certification activities that assess farming practices, inputs, and crop management systems. This includes ensuring that weed control methods align with organic principles, such as mechanical cultivation, crop rotation, cover cropping, mulching, and other preventive agronomic techniques. By helping farmers maintain compliance with organic requirements, Suolo e Salute contributes to the development of sustainable production systems that protect soil health, promote biodiversity, and reduce dependence on chemical inputs. As innovative solutions such as AI-powered laser weeding emerge, they could provide organic farmers with additional tools to manage weeds efficiently while remaining consistent with organic production standards.

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Sources:

1. China Daily: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202607/08/WS6a4d9e83a310986e2b464082.html

2. Caterra AG: https://caterra.ch/

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