Chinese Company Unveils 24/7 Smart Laser Weeding Robot

WUHAN - Huagong Technology Industry Co Ltd, a leading Chinese company, has unveiled a groundbreaking 24/7 intelligent laser weeding robot. The robot, named Hg LaserWeeder, was showcased at an event in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province.

Equipped with advanced data models covering thousands of crop and weed varieties, the robot utilizes an AI-powered vision system. Xiong Bian, AI algorithm lead at the company’s research institute, explained that the robot can dynamically adjust its laser intensity to eliminate weeds while protecting crops.

"This robot is expected to replace chemical herbicides, known as the 'number one soil killer,'" Xiong said. The technology maintains a weed removal rate of over 95%, aiming to reduce agricultural pollution at its source by eliminating chemical herbicide residues that contaminate soil and water.

A high-end version of the robot features up to 32 laser heads, enabling it to destroy as many as 320,000 weeds per hour. This is four to eight times more efficient than traditional methods that combine manual labor and herbicides. The recognition and targeting process takes less than five milliseconds from image capture to weed elimination.

Ma Xinqiang, chairman of Huagong Technology, emphasized the importance of innovation in driving high-quality growth. "Building a new development paradigm and driving high-quality growth requires strengthening innovation more than ever before," he said. Huagong will continue to increase investment in innovation, boost talent density, and expand its network of partners.

The company has completed algorithm validation trials in test fields in Yunnan and Heilongjiang provinces. Global pre-orders are now open, and mass production is targeted for 2026.

This innovation marks a significant step forward in sustainable agriculture, offering a viable alternative to chemical herbicides and enhancing efficiency in weed management.