A system for targeting and damaging a growing plant includes an aircraft, a laser, and a controller. The laser and controller are mounted to the aircraft, which can position the laser and controller airborne at least 350 meters away from the growing plant to be damaged. The laser can generate a beam of energy sufficient to critically damage the plant when the plant is exposed to the beam and located at least 350 meters away. The controller can determine whether a target of the laser is a plant to be damaged. In response to this determination, the controller can also: a) prevent the laser's beam of energy from reaching the target, if the target is not a plant to be damaged, and b) cause the laser's beam of energy to reach the target, if the target is a plant to be damaged.

Provided herein is a system for semi-automatic and/or automatic weed removal a system for automatic detection of weeds including an optical sensor and a central server unit, with a communication network, an open-loop and/or closed-loop control device and a weed removal device, wherein the optical sensor, the server unit and the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device are in data connection via the communication network, wherein image data of a weed is generated via the optical sensor and transmitted to the server unit, which analyses the transmitted image data such that the weed can be determined, and wherein, via the server unit, in the case of a clear determination of the weed, weed confirmation data is transmitted to the open-loop and/or closed-loop control device which, in response to the weed confirmation data, controls and/or regulates the weed-removal device so that the weed detected by the optical sensor can be removed.

An apparatus for mitigating unwanted life forms, the apparatus comprising: a sensor system configured to detect an unwanted life form; an adjustable first electrode; an earthed second electrode; a voltage generator connected to the first and second electrodes; a conductivity generator for increasing conductivity between the first electrode and the unwanted life form; and a controller in communication with the sensor system, the voltage generator and the conductivity generator, the controller, using a signal from sensor system, adjusting the first electrode to a position adjacent to yet separate from the unwanted life form and the second electrode, engaging the conductivity generator and initiating a transfer of charge from the first electrode to the life form using the increased conductivity of the air between the first electrode and the life form.

A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on depth information in in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.

A system for controlling vegetation within a field may include an implement frame and a ground-engaging tool supported on the implement frame. The ground-engaging tool may, in turn, be configured to perform an agricultural operation on the field as the implement frame is moved across the field. Furthermore, the system may include an electrode supported on the implement frame. As such, when a plant within the field contacts the electrode as the implement frame is moved across the field, an electric current is discharged from the electrode into the plant.

A week killing device where weeds or other undesirable vegetation are killed by radio frequency (RF) energy applied directly to the weed by a probe inserted into or near the weed. The probe is comprised of a center pin, which is electrically hot, surrounded by periphery pins which are grounded. A reflection measuring circuit makes an impedance measurement of the probe in the ground and a matching circuit is adjusted to make an impedance match. Next a RF generator applies RF energy through the matching circuit into the probe. Energy delivery is monitored to insure weed kill by thermal heating. The probe can be manually applied by a person or applied by an autonomous vehicle using computer vision (CV) and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify weeds and avoid row crops. The weed killing device may apply power to the above-ground portion a of a weed with the root providing a ground return. The weed killing device may be towed and apply RF energy when a weed is detected by the impedance measurement circuit.

A weed control vehicle may include a sensor for acquiring data relating to at least one location of an environment using at least one sensor of the vehicle. The sensor data is provided to a processing unit of the vehicle. The processing unit determines a distance sensing result for each location of the at least one location. The processing unit controls at least one actuator to move at least one boom of the vehicle. At least one weed control unit is attached to the at least one boom. The processing unit controls the at least one actuator to move the at least one boom on the basis of the distance sensing result for each location of the at least one location.

A farming machine includes one or more image sensors for capturing an image as the farming machine moves through the field. A control system accesses an image captured by the one or more sensors and identifies a distance value associated with each pixel of the image. The distance value corresponds to a distance between a point and an object that the pixel represents. The control system classifies pixels in the image as crop, plant, ground, etc. based on the visual information in the pixels. The control system generates a labelled point cloud using the labels and depth information, and identifies features about the crops, plants, ground, etc. in the point cloud. The control system generates treatment actions based on any of the depth information, visual information, point cloud, and feature values. The control system actuates a treatment mechanism based on the classified pixels.

A method for the management of a soil pest or pathogen is disclosed and which includes a source of high voltage electricity; at least one capacitor for storing the high voltage electricity; a multiplicity of electrodes inserted into a soil location having a soil pest and/or pathogen to be managed; and an electrical switch which is controllably opened and closes so as to form a pulse of electricity which is passed through the soil location and between the electrodes so as to effect the management of the soil pest and/or pathogen

An apparatus for weed control includes a processing unit with a least one sensor data of an environment. The processing unit analyzes at least some of the at least one sensor data to determine at least one ground property for each of a plurality of locations of the environment. The processing unit determines a power setting for activation of at least one electrode based weed control unit for each of the plurality of locations. The determination of the power setting for activation of the electrode based weed control unit comprises utilization of the at least one ground property associated with that location. An output unit outputs information useable to activate the at least one electrode based weed control unit.