Revolutionizing Weed Control: The Launch of Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder G2

A New Era in Precision Farming

Carbon Robotics, a Seattle-based ag-tech startup, has unveiled its latest innovation: the LaserWeeder G2. Designed to be faster, lighter, and more modular than its predecessor, this AI-powered robot represents a significant leap forward in weed control technology. The LaserWeeder G2 is the result of years of research, development, and real-world testing, making it a game-changer for farmers of all scales. By combining cutting-edge AI, computer vision, robotics, and laser technology, the G2 offers precision accuracy in detecting and eliminating weeds, ensuring healthier crops and reduced environmental impact.

Enhanced Performance and Flexibility

The LaserWeeder G2 is built to operate up to twice as fast as the original model, maximizing the number of acres that can be weeded per hour. This improvement in speed is complemented by a lighter design, with models ranging in size from 6.6 to 60 feet. Such flexibility allows the G2 to cater to a wide variety of farm sizes and budgets, making it accessible to both small-scale growers and large agricultural enterprises. Whether it’s navigating compact fields or covering extensive farmland, the G2’s modular design ensures it can adapt to diverse farming conditions and requirements.

Advanced Technology for Precision Weed Control

At the heart of the LaserWeeder G2 is its advanced AI system, known as "Carbon AI." This deep-learning platform is trained on a massive dataset of over 40 million plants, labeled from three continents, enabling it to identify and distinguish between crops and weeds with remarkable accuracy. The system processes 4.7 million high-resolution images every hour, thanks to multiple Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs). This level of computational power allows the G2 to operate efficiently and effectively, ensuring that only unwanted weeds are targeted with precision laser bursts. By avoiding the use of herbicides and minimizing soil disturbance, the LaserWeeder G2 promotes sustainable farming practices while maintaining soil health.

Proven Success and Expanding Capabilities

Since its inception in 2018, Carbon Robotics has made a significant impact on the agricultural industry. The company’s LaserWeeder technology has already been used to weed over 250,000 acres of land, eliminating more than 15 billion weeds across 100+ different crops. This track record demonstrates the effectiveness of the technology in diverse farming environments. The G2 builds on this success by offering even greater capabilities, enabling farmers to tackle weed control with unprecedented efficiency. With the G2, Carbon Robotics aims to further expand its reach, helping growers worldwide adopt more sustainable and precise farming methods.

From Concept to Reality: The Story of Carbon Robotics

Carbon Robotics was founded in 2018 by Paul Mikesell, a seasoned technologist and entrepreneur with a proven track record of innovation. Mikesell previously co-founded Isilon Systems, a data storage company that was acquired for $2.25 billion in 2010, and later led an infrastructure engineering group at Uber. Drawing on his expertise, Mikesell and his team at Carbon Robotics developed the LaserWeeder to address one of agriculture’s most persistent challenges: weed control. The device is designed to attach to the back of a tractor, using AI to detect plants and eliminate weeds with lasers, all while preserving the soil microbiology.

A Commitment to Innovation and Growth

Carbon Robotics has recently opened a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Eastern Washington, where all LaserWeeder G2 units are designed and manufactured. The company’s commitment to innovation and scalability has earned it a spot as No. 17 on the GeekWire 200 list of Pacific Northwest startups. In October, Carbon Robotics raised $70 million in a Series D funding round, bringing its total funding to $157 million. With 160 employees and a growing customer base, the company is well-positioned to continue leading the charge in ag-tech innovation. As the agricultural industry evolves, Carbon Robotics and its LaserWeeder G2 are poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of farming.