Selective Control: Precision Instead of Chemicals

![Image placeholder: Close-up of a tool (e.g., gripper, lance, or laser) aimed at a single plant]

From Finding to Action

The best monitoring is of little use if no targeted measures follow. In the aimGRASSLAND project, precise data collection is therefore only the first step. Once the artificial intelligence has located and positioned a problem plant like ragwort, the second stage of our system comes into play: selective control.

Our approach differs fundamentally from conventional methods. Instead of mulching an entire area or applying herbicides broadly, we focus on the individual plant. The goal is a minimally invasive intervention that effectively removes the unwanted weed while leaving the surrounding grass cover and valuable herbs untouched.

Technology Comparison in Field Tests

There is no "one" solution for every weed problem. That's why we don't prematurely commit to a single method in the project, but evaluate various physical and mechanical methods regarding their effectiveness, energy efficiency, and practical suitability.

In our experimental series, we investigate among others:

• Mechanical Methods: Here, tools such as rotating blades, shear knives, or special extraction systems are used that remove the plant including its rootstock from the ground.
• Electrical Methods (Electro-Weeding): With this method, the plant is damaged down to the root by a targeted electric shock (e.g., using an electro-lance). This prevents regrowth particularly effectively without digging up the soil.
• Thermal Methods: The use of pinpoint heat, for example through hot water or infrared, destroys the cell structure of the plant.
• Laser Technology: High-precision laser beams are directed at the growth center of the plant to selectively kill it.

![Image placeholder: Graphic or photo showing various tool heads in comparison]

Field Testing: On-Farm Research

Laboratory conditions are important, but the truth lies in the field. That's why our control method tests take place not only in greenhouses but directly on the areas of our agricultural partner farms in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.

This "on-farm research" approach is crucial for project success. Our prototypes must prove that they function reliably even on uneven terrain, wet soil, and changing weather conditions. The feedback from farmers flows directly into the further development of the actuator technology. For example, we test how well a tractor-mounted implement or an autonomous robot can control the tools and whether the theoretically calculated positions of the plants are hit accurately enough in practice. Only what withstands the harsh agricultural everyday has a future.