In the heart of the Netherlands, a quiet revolution is taking place in the fields of VOF Lyts Ropta, an organic arable farm. Here, a new type of field robot, the Earth Rover, is being put through its paces. Unlike traditional robots that rely on mechanical hoes or electrical chains to control weeds, the Earth Rover employs a novel method: light. This concentrated beam of light, visible as a blue hue, heats up weeds, effectively boiling them and destroying their cell walls. The result is a weed-free field, achieved without disturbing the soil, which can help prevent weed regrowth.
The Earth Rover is the first of its kind operating in the Netherlands, and it’s already making waves in the agritech world. The robot is currently suitable for use in potted crops such as cauliflower and Chinese cabbage. It operates using GPS signals and comes equipped with a base station that transmits an RTK correction signal, allowing the machine to drive with an accuracy of up to 2 centimetres. This precision is crucial for the robot’s weed recognition system, which uses cameras to identify and target weeds.
The Earth Rover’s operation is a fascinating process to witness. Every 50 centimetres, the robot stops, takes a photo, boils the weeds, and then moves on. This stopping and starting ensures accuracy, as Dirk Reinder de Jong, organic arable farmer and co-owner of VOF Lyts Ropta, explains. The robot’s light beam is so precise that it can target even the smallest weeds, although it’s not uncommon to see some scorch marks on the plants. This is not entirely intentional, as the weed is supposed to be boiled, not burned. However, it does demonstrate the robot’s impressive accuracy.
Despite its promising start, the Earth Rover is still far from perfect. The first unit sold directly to a customer, it’s the first in the Netherlands, and it’s facing some mechanical issues. The larger rear wheels, for instance, have too much resistance, making it difficult for the robot to turn autonomously at the headland. Additionally, the wheels are mounted in such a way that they don’t fit between the ridges. These are all issues that the manufacturer is currently working to resolve, with improvements expected from July.
The Earth Rover’s weed recognition system is also not yet perfect. Currently, it’s around 90%, but De Jong would like to see this at 97%. The robot is operated via an app, which is still in its early stages and doesn’t yet allow for live viewing of the robot’s cameras. The battery life is another area for improvement. On a single charge, with support from the solar panels, the machine can work for around 8 hours during the day. However, if the machine works at night, the batteries last for only 4 hours. The intention is to add two extra batteries soon, doubling the battery capacity and hopefully allowing the machine to operate for 8 hours under all conditions.
The Earth Rover is not the only robot of its kind. The Dutch startup Trabotyx launched a similar robot, Tor, which also removes weeds using light. Tor is very similar to Earth Rover, with the main difference being that Tor controls weeds while driving, whereas Earth Rover stops. Their prices are also comparable, with Trabotyx having a starting price of €214,000. The American company Carbon Robotics supplies the LaserWeeder, a mounted implement with a working width ranging from 2.0 to 18.3 metres.
De Jong sees much potential in the Earth Rover. He hopes to use the machine in winter onions next February and later in 2026 in carrots. Data collection for the algorithm in onions has already started, with the manufacturer hoping to be able to distinguish onions from weeds from ten weeks onwards. All things considered, De Jong finds it a promising machine, praising the algorithm and lasers’ functionality and expressing eagerness for the further development of the mechanical part.
The Earth Rover’s advantages are clear. It detects the smallest weeds and targets them with precision, causing no disturbance to the soil and preventing weed regrowth. The robot’s rapid further development and the manufacturer’s active involvement are also notable. However, there are some disadvantages. The machine cannot yet turn autonomously at the headland, and its capacity is low due to the need to stop continuously for irradiation. Additionally, the robot cannot yet drive between the ridges, and there are no algorithms yet for many common crops in the Netherlands, such as onions, potatoes, sugar beet, and carrots.
As the Earth Rover continues to evolve, it’s clear that it has the potential to revolutionize weed control in arable farming. Its innovative use of light to target weeds, combined with its precision and accuracy, makes it a promising tool for farmers looking to reduce their reliance on manual weeding and chemical