New Webinar: Development of Laser Weed Control Robot for Sustainable Farming

What size of a weed can a laser robot destroy? Can a laser robot drive independently? What color is the flame when a weed is consumed by a laser? 

Dr. Hongbo Zhang, assistant professor at Middle Tennessee State University answered these questions and more as he introduced a robot that targets weeds with laser precision. Dr. Zhang is propelling integrated pest management toward the future by combining robotics with agriculture by providing new and improved weed management options.

Dr. Zhang reviewed the importance of weed management and the devastating impacts that weeds can have on crop yields. He also summarized available no-spray options for targeting weeds, such as soil cultivation, but the thermal weed management options are where things really got interesting. 

There are several potential methods for targeting weeds with thermal technology, including flame weeders, infrared weeders, steam weeders, microwaves, solarization, and of course, lasers. 

Laser weed control is a useful option to have available because it provides very precise and very energy-efficient weed control. Dr. Zhang wants the technology to be useful so his team works to make a robot that is relatively low cost and easy to use. It also has large wheels and a large amount of power so it can traverse both flat and sloped terrain. This robot is currently a prototype that Dr. Zhang plans to continue to improve. 

Check out the full video to hear more insights about the process of designing and building the robot. You will enjoy a tour of the inside of the robot’s “body,” and a demonstration of how to drive the robot. Finally, you will see the robot in action as it drives around and incinerates some pesky weeds. Enjoy!

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