The innovative LaserWeeder from Seattle-based Carbon Robotics has garnered attention from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. During a recent podcast episode, Kennedy discussed the challenges faced by farmers reliant on traditional herbicides, highlighting the potential of new technologies like the LaserWeeder.
Kennedy, who previously secured a significant $289 million settlement against Monsanto in a case linked to Roundup, remarked on the advantages of laser technology in agriculture. He described the LaserWeeder as a tractor attachment that eliminates weeds by using lasers to disrupt their cellular structure, stating that if it becomes affordable for smaller farmers, it could revolutionize weed management.
CEO Paul Mikesell expressed enthusiasm about Kennedy's endorsement, asserting that the LaserWeeder is already operational and beneficial for farmers in the U.S. and beyond. He responded to Kennedy's optimism, emphasizing that the technology is ready for widespread use, despite Kennedy's caution that more progress is still needed.