Tiny Robot Swarms Could Contribute to Eliminating the Need for Pesticides

Robotics now has an innovative application in farming, and tiny robot swarms are on the way to eliminating the need for pesticides. This could lead to a future without the need to use harmful pesticidal chemicals.

With this new technology, crops can grow without having to deal with weeds. At the same time, beneficial insects and pollinators such as bees can live freely among them without having to die from pesticides and other agrochemicals.

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Clint Bauer and Greenfield Robotics

The farm of Clint Brauer outside Cheney in Kansas has a swarm of robots that help in making this future a reality. Brauer is one of Greenfield Robotics' co-founders. He grew up on a farm, and his knowledge of digital technology eventually benefited his family farm, which is now involved in chemical-free farming.

Brauer went back to his roots in farming with a new mission: to get harmful chemicals away from our foods. He instituted a new farming system that leverages and harnesses nature. This system improves soil productivity and reduces greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

He took on the challenge of carbon farming without needing agrochemicals on a significant scale. His farm has unique processes that help accomplish this goal.

Robots that Kill Weeds

Brauer now also uses robots to his advantage and fulfill his mission. The weed-killing robots weigh 140 pounds, which he named them Wilma, Tom, Dick, and Harry.

They have their individual but interdependent functions. At the beginning of the process, the robot Tom is involved in rolling through the field to map it. After Tom's information is gathered, Wilma uploads it and transfers it to Dick, the group's "weed zapper." Dick has a similar function as weed zapper equipment, but with the use of robotics.

Small Robot Company's CMO Sarra Mander initially constructed these robots.

Brauer makes Dick zap electricity on emerging young weeds between the crops, which effectively removes them while keeping local insects safe, unlike what pesticides do.

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More Efficient than Other Solutions

These robots are also more efficient and effective than mechanical equipment such as tractors that pull plows or rototillers, disturbing the soil's delicate microbial flora, lowering yields, decreasing species diversity, and causing many other negative environmental consequences.

The robotics was designed to focus on the weeds because they are the most significant farm problem. Weeds are the hardest problem to fight, according to Brauer. He says that half or more of a farmer's time and a significant part of their resources are dedicated to controlling weeds.

An Expensive but Worthy Investment

This considerable investment may make the robots viable, even if they seem expensive at first compared to directly spraying chemicals. Brauer says most farmers do not like chemicals, so the technology has great potential to be readily accepted.

The robots can maintain biodiversity and reduce chemical use. Exposure to the latter is harmful to children and other people, and these side effects may justify using robotics in farming. It may eventually replace many of Monsanto's dangerous pesticides.

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