U of I, USDA demo robotic weeding system to improve national reforestation

MOSCOW, Idaho — University of Idaho recently demonstrated an advanced robotic device used to eradicate weeds at the Coeur d’Alene Nursery. The project is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to improve national reforestation efforts.

The 3-foot-wide autonomous wheeled robot, designed by U of I computer science students, uses artificial intelligence to scan, identify and precisely locate weed growth up to one-half inch. The robot uses electricity to eradicate weeds.

“It’s all about sustainability. The robotic device U of I is developing underscores the Forest Service’s commitment to conservation leadership and biological diversity,” said Kas Dumroese, a retired senior research scientist for the U.S. Forest Service who led the initial development of the project. “Autonomous weed eradication will reduce our labor costs and reliance on chemical pesticides and fossil fuels, improving locally adapted plants and strengthening reforestation efforts.”

Dumroese and representatives from all six Forest Service nurseries nationwide were present to witness the demonstration.

The U.S. spends approximately $500,000 annually on weeding at its national tree seedling nurseries. Reducing weeds will improve access to soil nutrients, strengthen seedling quality, reduce nursery costs and ultimately improve reforestation success.

Next steps for the robot include weatherizing hardware, improving electrical components and using images captured during demonstrations to improve weed identification.

Data collection and testing will continue through 2025, and potential future work could include system testing on other nursery fields and using weather data to aid in weed management efforts.

U of I recently earned a grant from the USDA to develop the robot. The U of I team includes computer science graduate students Garrett Wells of Boise and Brent Knopp of Coeur d’Alene; undergraduate student Kevin Wing of Coeur d’Alene; John Shovic, director of U of I’s Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics; and Mary Everett ’20, ’23 of Lewiston, a postdoctoral researcher at the center.

“Working with industry, our students can fully understand the needs of the people behind the goal,” Shovic said. “Our students take the hands-on experience they gain at the center and use it to fulfill a real need at the national level.”

U of I College of Engineering students work directly with state-of-the-art mobile and full-size robots used in a variety of applications through the Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics. Robotics research and training labs across the state prepare students to fill global manufacturing labor shortages. The center also offers Idaho’s first industrial robotics certificates.

MEDIA NOTE: Photos of the demo are available for download here.

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Media Contact

Alexiss Turner
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U of I College of Engineering
208-885-7511
alexisst@uidaho.edu