Earth Rover: Robots with CLAWS
Reuters profiles a new robotic weeding assistant for agriculturalists, the CLAWS unit. CLAWS (Concentrated Light Autonomous Weeding & Scouting) automates the laborious weeding process with its 8 camera, AI vision system which can identify both crops and the weeds that would otherwise drain their resources. The “concentrated light” aspect of CLAWS allows it to zap weeds for removal without pesticides. And an added bonus of the solar-powered, autonomous rover is that it can collect ample data on crop growth as it roves about any field, day or night.
Assignment Idea: Designing Smarter, Greener Agriculture with CLAWS
Description
In this activity, students will explore the intersection of robotics, AI and sustainable agriculture through the lens of the CLAWS autonomous weeding robot. Students will analyze the role of robotics in reducing labor and chemical use in farming, examine the underlying technology powering CLAWS,and propose their own enhancements or alternative applications.
Analyze how the CLAWS robot works and its impact on agriculture. How can AI, computer vision and light-based technologies be used for automated weeding? Reflect on the broader environmental, ethical and economic implications of autonomous agricultural technology.
Can you propose a new feature, design adaptation, or innovative use for CLAWS in a different setting or industry?
Subject Areas
Agriculture, Data Science, Engineering, Ethics, Sustainability
Deliverables
- technology analysis: in a 1-2 page paper or 5 minute presentation, describe how CLAWS works, including AI, vision and solar and identify core agricultural problems each helps to solve
- innovation proposal: propose an enhancement – new feature, adaptation to an environment, integration with other systems – to CLAWS and pitch it in a slide deck, video or concept brief
- ethical reflection: as a discussion board post, identify how CLAWS might change the workforce, affect the environment or other consequences of robotics and AI in agriculture