How does the LaserWeeder work?
Cameras and computer vision scan each row, the system distinguishes crop from weed, and high-power lasers fire to kill the weeds. A tractor tows the unit through the field; it does not drive itself.
Key facts
- Form factor
- agriculture
- Maturity
- commercial
- Verified deployments
- 4
- Maker
- Carbon Robotics
- products
- LaserWeeder / LaserWeeder G2: high-power-laser + computer-vision weeding implement (towed behind a tractor). Carbon AutoTractor (ATK): retrofit autonomy kit for John Deere 6R/8R tractors (remote-supervised).
- implement
- towed, pull-behind implement
- formFactor
- agriculture (computer-vision laser-weeding implement, tractor-towed; + separate AutoTractor autonomy kit)
- autonomy level
- remote-supervised driverless operation
On the record
Carbon Robotics' footage of its LaserWeeder G2 performing AI-vision laser weeding in-field. The LaserWeeder is a tractor-towed implement, not an autonomous vehicle: the tractor provides locomotion while computer vision targets and lasers weeds.
The short answer
The LaserWeeder combines computer vision with high-power lasers. As it passes over a row, cameras feed the vision system, which distinguishes crop plants from weeds, then lasers fire to kill the weeds without touching the soil or the crop and without herbicide.
How it moves through the field
This is the part people get wrong. The LaserWeeder does not move itself. It is a towed, pull-behind implement: a conventional tractor provides all locomotion while the machine does the sensing and lasering. Carbon Robotics built its original 2021 LaserWeeder as a self-driving platform, then deliberately switched to this implement format for faster return on investment. If you want driverless field operation, that is a separate product, the Carbon AutoTractor retrofit kit for John Deere 6R and 8R tractors, which is remote-human-supervised and at an early, limited commercial release.
What is verified
The LaserWeeder is recorded as commercial with 4 verified deployments at named California farms, so the weeding function is confirmed in real-world use, not demo-only. Throughput and acreage figures (250,000-plus acres, 15 billion-plus weeds) are Carbon's own reporting.
For the difference between a demonstrated capability and a company claim, see verified-vs-claimed.
Frequently asked
How does the LaserWeeder tell a weed from a crop?
Onboard cameras feed a computer-vision model that classifies each plant as crop or weed before the lasers fire.
Is the LaserWeeder autonomous?
The weeding is automated, but the machine has no locomotion. A tractor tows it. Driverless movement requires Carbon's separate, remote-supervised AutoTractor kit.
Verified vs claimed
- Verified: Carbon Robotics (founded 2018, Seattle WA; founder/CEO Paul Mikesell) ships the commercial LaserWeeder, which uses computer vision + high-power lasers to kill weeds. Deployment: 250,000+ acres serviced, 15B+ weeds eliminated, 150+ machines on 100+ farms across ~14-15 countries. LaserWeeder G2 (modular, faster) launched Feb 2025.
- Verified-vs-claimed: Total funding is $157M as stated in Carbon's own Series D release ($70M Series D led by BOND, Oct 2024; earlier Series C was $30M led by Sozo, 2023). An additional ~$20M was raised Oct 2025 (GeekWire) for a new undisclosed robot. The aggregator figure of ~$276M is NOT primary-verified and is not asserted. AutoTractor per-hour pricing ($15-25/hr) is trade-press-reported, not company-confirmed.
- Verified-vs-claimed: Total funding is $157M as stated in Carbon's own Series D release ($70M Series D led by BOND, Oct 2024; earlier Series C was $30M led by Sozo, 2023). An additional ~$20M was raised Oct 2025 (GeekWire) for a new undisclosed robot. The aggregator figure of ~$276M is NOT primary-verified and is not asserted. AutoTractor per-hour pricing ($15-25/hr) is trade-press-reported, not company-confirmed.
Split from the registry record. See the verified-vs-claimed framework.
Where it is deployed
4 verified deployments on the registry for the LaserWeeder. Click any marker to open its primary-source record.
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See where these robots are verified operating, by place and type.
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