BUSINESS laser weeding

A new tool for horticulture efficiency

Horticultural growers across Western Australia are facing mounting pressure from rising labour costs, tightening workforce availability, and increasing expectations around sustainability. In response, many are exploring new technologies that can deliver both efficiency and long-term resilience. One of the most promising developments is laser weeding.

Words Angela Tarbottom, Regional Development Officer, vegetablesWA

AT the forefront of this innovation is Carbon Robotics, founded in 2018 by CEO Paul Mikesell. The company’s LaserWeeder™ combines computer vision, artificial intelligence, and robotics to identify and eliminate weeds with sub-millimetre precision across more than 130 crop types. Powered by its Large Plant Model trained on over 150 million labelled plants globally the system allows growers to begin weeding in new crops within minutes.

A precision approach to weed control

Laser weeding represents a shift toward plant-by-plant precision. The system scans the soil surface, distinguishes crops from weeds, and targets only unwanted plants using concentrated heat. This enables effective in-row weed control without disturbing soil or damaging crops.

For horticulture systems in regions such as Gingin and the Swan Coastal Plain, where sandy soils and high-value vegetable crops dominate, this precision is particularly valuable. It reduces crop competition, preserves soil structure, and improves overall weed control outcomes.

Carbon robotics expands into Australia

Carbon Robotics has scaled rapidly, with more than 230 LaserWeeders now operating across 14 countries and over 30 billion weeds eliminated globally. In Australia and New Zealand, 13 machines are already in operation, including multi-unit customers, demonstrating that the technology is commercially viable under local conditions.

Importantly for Australian growers, Carbon Robotics has invested in regional support. A dedicated ANZ team provides sales, logistics, parts, and field support, backed by a workshop and parts warehouse in Shepparton, Victoria. The machines are also connected via Starlink, allowing 24/7 remote diagnostics and rapid troubleshooting. In most cases, on-ground technical support can be deployed within 24 hours if required.

Demonstrating the technology in WA

Western Australia has been a key focus for demonstration, with a dedicated demo unit arriving in early 2026 following initial trials in Victoria. Interest from growers has been strong, particularly given the state’s unique growing conditions and the need to see the technology perform locally.

Demonstrations have allowed growers to assess how the LaserWeeder performs in WA conditions, across different soil types, climates, and crop profiles. Timing has also played a role, with the machine deployed to align with key crop cycles.

Trial insights from Bogdanich Farms

One of the most recent trials has been conducted in March by Bogdanich Farms, a large-scale, family run vegetable operation known for producing leafy greens and brassicas.

After observing the technology at another farm, the Bogdanich team undertook a three-week trial to evaluate its performance within their own cropping systems. Their goal was to assess whether laser weeding could provide a viable alternative to their existing program of pre- and post-emergent herbicides, including sodium metham, as well as reduce reliance on hand weeding.

The trial covered crops such as cos lettuce, iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and celery. The system was operational within 30 minutes of arriving on farm, demonstrating ease of setup and integration.

Early observations were promising. Trial plots required no pre-emergent or post-emergent herbicides and did not need any final hand-weeding pass. The LaserWeeder maintained cleaner beds compared to conventional methods and crops, particularly lettuce appeared healthier and more uniform in size. While formal yield data is still being assessed, these initial results suggest strong potential.

Importantly, the Bogdanich team reported minimal issues during the trial, with the system largely operated independently after initial setup.

“We had the machine for a 3-week trial. We found it to be very impressive; it worked well with our weed population and the crops we are growing. We hope to invest in the near future,” said Andrew Bogdanich.

Labour savings and input reduction

Labour remains one of the biggest challenges for horticulture businesses in Western Australia. Hand weeding crews are expensive and increasingly difficult to source.

Laser weeding offers a practical solution. By automating weed control, a single operator can replace large teams, reducing labour costs and improving reliability. The system can operate day or night, in a range of conditions, providing consistent performance without fatigue.

Chemical reduction is another major benefit. In the Bogdanich trial, no herbicides were used in the laser-treated plots. Globally, growers have reported herbicide reductions of over 70% within the first year, along with the complete removal of certain products from their programs.

Additional benefits include:

• Yield improvements of 5–25%

• Healthier crops due to reduced competition

• No soil disturbance, reducing weed reseeding

• Long-term reduction in weed pressure

• Elimination of herbicide resistance issues

Some growers are also shifting from transplants to direct seeding, reducing establishment costs, and opening up new cropping opportunities.

Looking ahead

Laser weeding represents a significant shift toward precision agriculture in horticulture. As Carbon Robotics continues to expand in Australia with plans to establish regional technicians in WA and further develop its autonomous tractor platform (Carbon ATK) the technology is set to become more accessible.

For Western Australian growers, the opportunity is clear: reduce labour dependence, lower chemical inputs, and improve operational efficiency.

While adoption decisions are still being finalised and negotiations ongoing, early trials suggest that laser weeding is more than just a new tool. It is a glimpse into the future of horticulture, where precision, automation, and sustainability work hand in hand.