University of Idaho

A team of computer science researchers at the University of Idaho, Coeur d'Alene, has successfully demonstrated an autonomous robot that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to precisely kill weeds. The three-foot-wide wheeled robot is able to scan, identify and precisely strike weeds as small as half an inch wide, eradicating them with an electric shock. Following the demonstration at the U.S. Forest Service's Coeur d'Alene tree nursery, the team plans to add a rainproof casing to the robot's hardware, improve the electrical components, and increase the AI's accuracy in identifying weeds. Data collection and testing will continue into next year. The robot is in close contact with the U.S.…