Carbon Robotics adds LaserThinning capability to its LaserWeeder

Carbon Robotics, an AI and robotics company specializing in agriculture, has introduced what it says is “the industry’s first LaserThinning capability”, continuing the “rapid innovation” of its LaserWeeder system.

LaserThinning targets areas where vegetable crops are purposefully overseeded and then thinned for optimal crop spacing, growth and yield. This is particularly valuable for farmers growing any direct seeded leafy green and cole crops – such as lettuce and broccoli.

By using lasers for thinning, the new solution does not require the use of any chemicals or manual hand labor, is unaffected by wind or moisture, and can be performed during the day or night.

As a new software update, all LaserWeeders in the fleet will now be able to thin as well as weed on a single farm equipment platform.

Carbon Robotics is announcing several new software features that boost the functionality and speed of its LaserWeeder.

These include:

• LaserThinning: The LaserWeeder can be set to weeding mode, thinning mode, or weeding and thinning mode on its intuitive iPad-based user interface.
• Prioritized Seedline Weeding: The LaserWeeder can be set to use dynamic or static banding to increase speed and weeding efficiency. Dynamic banding automatically detects the seed line and adjusts for plant line drift and operator variability.
• Speed Optimization: The latest software recommends ideal tractor speed based on grower-desired weed percentage and weed type kill rates to optimize speed in high, medium, and low pressure weed environments.
• 40+ Crop Models: New deep learning crop models can be added in 24-48 hours.

Matt McGuire, general manager at JV Farms, says: “LaserThinning is a breakthrough approach and delivers benefits that are an order of magnitude better than existing solutions.

“This technology is revolutionizing how we handle weeding and thinning, bringing dependability, speed and accuracy to our farming practices.”

According to Carbon Robotics, growers using the LaserWeeder are reducing annual weed control costs by “up to 80 percent”, resulting in a break-even on equipment purchase of one to three years.

Juan Calderon, director of farming operations at Duncan Family Farms, says: “The LaserWeeder is a revolutionary tool that dramatically reduces out-of-pocket costs while offering predictability and control to our weeding methods.

“The LaserWeeder is a consistent solution that enables us to effectively manage weeds so we can put our focus, labor and resources toward other important operational tasks.”

Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics, says: “With our pace of innovation, we offer a software extensible tool that addresses farming’s most pressing challenge – weeding – and expands to tackle other problems such as thinning.

“The LaserWeeder enables farmers to accurately execute crop thinning and weeding without disturbing crops or soil, helping to improve crop yields and soil health.”