LUXEED Robotics aims to revolutionize weed control

The European Commission wants to halve pesticide use by 2030. Partly as a result, the primary sector is increasingly looking for alternatives to chemical pesticides. LUXEED Robotics wants to radically change weed control. Their solution? Not pesticides and manual labor, but lasers and artificial intelligence.

Source: Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo

Startup LUXEED, one of the winners of the AI & Robotics in Agriculture Demo Day organized by Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo and EIT Food, is developing AI-powered lasers to accurately locate and remove weeds through burning. By striking the core of the weeds, the unwanted plants die instantly.

This provides a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides without sacrificing speed and efficiency. Whereas many existing high-tech solutions are only available to large-scale farms, LUXEED aims to make the technology accessible to small- and medium-scale farmers. Says Guadaluna Chaer, co-founder & CEO of LUXEED, "It is precisely for this group that such innovative technology to protect their entire land at an affordable price is not yet available.

So they are developing their machine in different sizes: from 6 meters wide to compact versions of 1.5 meters and 75 centimeters, depending on the need. This makes the threshold for starting laser weeding as low as possible.

Although several companies are active in laser weeding, LUXEED stands out primarily because of its software. From camera image to laser shot, the AI control is completely self-developed and tailored to farmers' needs for laser weed control. The flexible solution makes their innovation faster, more effective and more accurate than existing alternatives, according to Guadaluna.

Guadaluna says, "Whereas traditional methods such as mechanical or electric weed control often require several centimeters of safety margin to avoid damaging crops, our technology is accurate to the millimeter. The laser shoots right next to the crop with no risk of damaging the crop or soil. Even weeds sitting against a crop are hit by the laser without damaging the crop itself or the soil. This completely eliminates the need for manual weeding and herbicides.'

The ultimate goal of LUXEED goes beyond technology. Says Guadaluna, "We want to make organic crops affordable for everyone. By taking away the costly factor of weed control, organic crops such as onions and carrots - currently risky and labor-intensive crops - can become more affordable for consumers and farmers alike. Of course, farmers have to make a one-time investment in the lasers, but it then provides long-term cost savings on pesticides and labor. Lasers are the future!

LUXEED is currently working on first prototype. The ambition is to sell the first machines starting in 2027. As with many startups, financing is a challenge. Lasers and high-end cameras are expensive, and R&D requires large investments. Thanks to subsidies from LIOF and Rabobank, among others, LUXEED is well on its way, but for the next phase of growth, if you are interested you can contact the startup.

More to know? Visit the website of LUXEED.