Real‐World Deployment of a Dynamic Selective LASER Weeding System Using Multispectral Imagery

Abstract

The use of chemical treatments for weed control is increasingly challenged by weed resistance, regulatory restrictions on chemicals and the risk of soil and water contamination that can pose health hazards. Chemical weed treatments are unsustainable, prompting exploration of alternative methods such as boiling water, electrocution and directed fire. However, these approaches are limited: water-based treatments require a reliable water supply in the field, and electric or fire-based methods pose additional environmental risks. This work proposes a targeted light amplified stimulation of emission by radiation (LASER) treatment and selective spraying system integrated with automatic weed identification. The system, mounted on the rear of a tractor, utilises a bispectral imaging setup to distinguish weeds from crops. Close-to-crop weeds are automatically selected for LASER treatment, whereas a selective sprayer targets other weeds with a glyphosate globule. This integrated system approach is named ‘Hyperweeding’. The results demonstrate successful separation of row crops from weeds, achieving a contamination-free crop with a significant reduction in glyphosate usage, and effectively treating weeds at speeds of 0.1 m • s⁻¹.