Secures $30M in funding to develop cost-effective and efficient precision ag-tech tool LaserWeeder™ platform for a targeted weed elimination in farms
Carbon Robotics, a leader in AI-powered robotics, has secured $30 million to develop LaserWeeder™ platform for effortless weed control in agricultural farms.
The LaserWeeder™ identifies weeds and targets them for elimination. The platform implement’s 30 high-powered CO2 lasers using thermal energy to destroy the meristem of the weed with millimeter accuracy, without damaging nearby crops or disturbing the soil.
The Series C financing from new lead investor Sozo Ventures is coupled with existing investors Anthos Capital, Fuse Venture Capital, Ignition Partners, Liquid2 and Voyager Capital. The funding will be used to expand sales regions in North America, optimize and scale manufacturing, develop new software and hardware products, and launch into international markets. This latest round of financing brings Carbon Robotics’ overall funding to $67 million.
“Carbon Robotics’ elegant use of AI, computer vision, robotics and lasers enables farmers to reduce their most expensive line item – weed control – without damaging plants or the soil. The breakthrough innovation boosts farmers’ profitability across conventional, organic and no-till practices” said Rob Freelen, managing director of Sozo Ventures.
“Traditional weeding methods, including hand weeding and herbicides, are expensive, unreliable and damage soil health. The LaserWeeder uniquely addresses all of these challenges. This financing round further supports our mission to provide cost-effective and efficient precision ag-tech tools to growers,” said Paul Mikesell, CEO and founder of Carbon Robotics.
To date, Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeders have successfully eliminated more than 500 million weeds across 40 different crops. The LaserWeeder™ has extended its reach to farms across 17 U.S. states and three provinces in Canada. Most recently, Carbon Robotics expanded the features of the LaserWeeder with the industry’s first LaserThinning capability, targeting areas where vegetable crops are purposefully overseeded and then thinned for optimal crop spacing, growth and yield.
