Posted on 04/27/2021 6:18:19 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
Whether you're a farmer tending to expansive crops that you depend on for your livelihood or a hobbyist gardener trying to keep your tomatoes in check, weeds can be a time-consuming and relentless problem. Startup Carbon Robotics has wheeled out an autonomous machine that has these pesky plants in its cross hairs, using a combination of computer vision and high-powered lasers to comb fields and take out thousands of weeds an hour.
Carbon Robotics has built a 9,500-lb (4,300-kg), four-wheeled robot that uses GPS and computer vision to trundle through crops on the lookout for weeds. It relies on an onboard supercomputer and high-resolution cameras to identify unwanted plants, and then eight simultaneously operating 150-W lasers to kill them off with thermal energy by targeting their meristems, at a rate of more than 100,000 weeds an hour
(Excerpt) Read more at newatlas.com ...
Well, this means we won’t need to import millions of farm workers from Mexico and Central America to pull weeds in Central California, right?
It’s becoming more mechanized every day - just like everything else.
In a suburban setting it just won’t be the same without a leaf blower soundtrack.
Comment involving cotton crop self-deleted before sending to avoid the Zot.
Can they be programmed to deal with the infestation of illegal aliens at the southern border?
I think 9,500 pounds on the lawn is a fair trade-off to get the eight simultaneously operating 150-W lasers. I would program those lasers to blast the teenagers with the 2,000 Watt sound system playing rap that rattles house walls a half mile away.
“Mrs. Jones, I’m afraid this shoebox of ashes is all that’s left of your son Justin. We are sorry for your loss but the world thanks Mr. Smith for his four-wheeled anti-noise robot.”
Well, this means we won’t need to import millions of farm workers from Mexico and Central America to pull weeds in Central California, right? It’s becoming more mechanized every day - just like everything else.
I predict this will be the first machine ever registered to vote by ACORN. Or have they already?
Skynet is real.
Get back to me when it can take out violets.
They’ll still be growing after the nuclear apocalypse.
100,000 weeds an hour? Better plan on a full day to de-weed my lawn.
“Get back to me when it can take out violets.”
Perhaps you’ll adjust your thinking.
https://www.absolutdrinks.com/en/drinks/with/violet-liqueur/
I’d rather have one that could take out the ticks and chiggers here.
Who builds this monstrosity, cyberdynr systems?
CC
“...so I will continue with my annual application of Agent Orange.”
Better stock up, it’s in their sites.
—”Comment involving cotton crop”
That cotton crop was the most expensive crop in the history of the known universe.
I’d rather have one that could take out the ticks and chiggers here.
That is likely a future project. Until then, you can always employ guinea hens. However, until they make those with a mute button I will just put up with the ticks.
Correct. We’re about to enter a new Victorian Era where there are make work jobs like valet and butler and ladies’ maid.
Be nice to be in top.
AI and robotics is going to change certain agricultural pursuits from a cheap labor intensive business to a largely automated process.
What are all the low-skilled agricultural workers going to do then?
Buy cheap property in Central America, sign up for SSA payments, and retire back to their homeland on the USA taxpayer's dime.
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