Weed Wars: Laser Beam Technology May Fundamentally Change Farming
Is a laser beam the future of farming?
A raised rectangular vehicle, slightly smaller than a compact sedan, rolls across farmland and shoots concentrated bursts of infrared light into the rows. Audible crackles and pops rise above the furrows, followed by the distinct smell of burning vegetation as weeds smolder beside unscathed crops.
Technology enabling farmers to blast weeds with pinpoint lasers would be a fundamental, transformative moment of change for agriculture, akin to the advent of the gin, tractor, or combine. Paul Mikesell believes the moment has arrived, carried into fields by the Autonomous Laser
According to Mikesell, founder
“Repeatable, consistent, and easy, all while distinguishing weeds from crops,” says Mikesell. “People don’t yet realize how effective laser technology is at killing weeds, but it is incredible.”
Day or Night
In 2018, Mikesell sought a simple, precise means to kill weeds and knew a laser was ideal from an energy and power perspective. However, concise delivery of a laser—ensuring discretion between weed and plant—required extreme engineering. “We (Carbon Robotics) spent almost three years designing a system that targets weeds on its own while rolling through a field,” Mikesell says. “It operates entirely autonomous and separate from any human action.”
James Johnson, a fourth-generation grower and owner of Carzalia Valley Produce in Columbus, New Mexico, has trialed the Autonomous Laser
How does the Autonomous Laser
Generated from sealed glass tubes within the machine, the CO2 lasers feature 3mm accuracy and are ready to fire every 50 milliseconds. The lasers decimate weed meristems, according to Mikesell. “Through lysis, we’re exploding the plant cells and delivering a high level of trauma to the weed.”
“Over several seasons of trials, we’ve seen 100,000 weeds killed per hour in our counts,” Mikesell continues. “Depending on water content, the weeds make a great popping noise when the laser hits, and the smell of burning plant matter is even more distinct.”
At 9,500 lb., 80” track width, 110” wheelbase, and roughly 7’ in height, the Autonomous Laser
The Laser
How does the vehicle perform in wind and dust—characteristic elements of many farms? “Very, very well,” Mikesell contends. “By nature, the rows are always very dusty and dirty, but unless the wind and sand would be so extreme as to block a camera lens, there is no problem and we’ve had no issues.”
Time: The Ultimate Judge
Regardless of technological efficacy in weed control, the ROI question looms large for farmers. Cost comparisons of the Laser
The Autonomous Laser
Further, with each pass of the Laser
Time is the ultimate judge for any new technology, particularly regarding groundbreaking agriculture innovation. However, Mikesell is firm: Laser weed control will become standard on farmland. “This is so effective and efficient like nothing else,” he adds. “Laser weeding is going to be a standard part of all types of farming and there is no better alternative.”
For questions or to read more stories from Chris Bennett (cbennett@farmjournal.com), see:
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