In a bold move to revolutionize agriculture, Greenfield Robotics is using autonomous technology to reduce the reliance on chemicals and improve farming efficiency. In a conversation with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Clint Brauer, founder and head of innovation at the company, discussed the development and benefits of their robotic solutions.
Weeding with Robots
Brauer founded Greenfield Robotics with a singular mission: to get chemicals out of agriculture. The company’s primary innovation is the “Weedbot,” an autonomous robot designed to work between crop rows. “It goes between the rows and cuts weeds,” Brauer explained, noting that the robots also have the ability to foliar spray plants. This technology is particularly beneficial for combating difficult-to-control weeds, like pigweeds, especially in regions that experience frequent wet weather that prevents traditional spray rigs from entering the field.
The robots, which run on a set-and-forget system, have been in development for four years and are now working in paid fields. They can be deployed in a variety of crops, including soybeans, cotton, sunflowers, and Milo, and are even being used in pumpkins and sweet corn.
Technology and Scalability
The Weedbots are designed to be both efficient and user-friendly. They operate autonomously, with farmers responsible for tasks like swapping batteries and basic maintenance. The robots are about 400 pounds and are equipped with advanced precision technology that far surpasses that of a simple robotic lawn mower.
Brauer emphasized the scalability of the system, which allows multiple machines to run in a single field. The company is transitioning from a “robotics as a service” model, where they managed the robots for a per-acre fee, to a new approach where farmers can either purchase or lease the bots. This change reflects the technology’s maturity and the company’s confidence in its performance.
A key design principle is easy maintenance, with most parts designed to be swapped out by a single person in under 15 minutes. This, combined with the technology’s ability to drive down the cost per acre, makes it a viable long-term solution.
The Future of Farming: Beyond Weeding
Brauer’s vision for Greenfield Robotics extends beyond just weeding. The company is actively developing multi-purpose functions for the robots, including foliar feeding and spreading cover crop seeds. A new system is also in development that will handle pre-plant and planting operations, with the ambitious goal of eventually removing the tractor from the planting process entirely.
Brauer anticipates that this technology will change traditional farming practices, including planting schedules. Instead of cramming planting into a few weeks, smaller, more agile robots will be able to get into fields earlier, providing greater flexibility and optimizing planting times.
For those interested in learning more, Brauer encourages visiting greenfieldrobotics.com, where they can find more information about the technology and get in touch with the company, you can also check out their facebook page here:
