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Map & Zap uses artificial intelligence to detect weeds and then point a laser to kill the unwanted species. Photo: Supplied
A New Zealand plant biologist has come up with a laser that can kill targeted weeds using artificial intelligence. Invasive weeds are a massive problem in New Zealand.
If left to their own devices they can transform an entire ecosystem, and in one example AgResearch has warned the sleeper weed Chilean needle grass could become a billion-dollar problem for agriculture if controls aren't set up soon.
A concept thought up by Dr Kioumars Ghamkhar at AgResearch for a laser trained to identify and zap particular weeds has been successfully trialled.
The Map and Zap unit can be fitted to the likes of a tractor or robot to suit the food production system it is operating in. The product has been used by Cloudy Bay Wines in its vineyards with some success and Dr Ghamkar says he wants to see the technology potentially get to the level it can be used in drones for weeds in remote, hilly parts of the country.