Feature Request: Laser Weeding Module for Yarbo (Inspired by Carbon Robotics LaserWeeder)

Suggestion and Feature Requests
1

Hello,

I have a hail mary request for a A Laser Weeding Module :high_voltage: (inspired by Carbon Robotics’ industrial-grade LaserWeeder)

:bullseye: The Idea

Equip Yarbo with an AI-powered laser array that identifies and eliminates weeds with high-precision, low-power laser pulses. This would be a compact version of what Carbon Robotics has achieved at the commercial farm level - but optimized for:

  • Homeowners with persistent weed issues

  • Gardeners seeking chemical-free solutions

  • Landscapers adding premium tech services

  • Small-scale farms and greenhouses

  • And, of course, Yarbo enthusiasts who want their robot to have a freaking laser!

Think of it as Yarbo’s graduation from “lawncare assistant” to eco-friendly botanical bounty hunter.

:brain: Why It Makes Sense?

:dna: Environmental & Safety Trends

  • Chemical herbicide bans are increasing globally

  • Homeowners and municipalities are actively seeking non-toxic, autonomous weed control

:package: Modularity & Platform Leverage

  • Yarbo is already designed around swappable modules (the only one on the market if I’m not mistaken)

  • The platform has the processing power, mobility, and navigation stack to support visual weed detection and targeted laser firing

:money_bag: Business Case & Market Potential

  • Residential smart gardening and lawncare is a $15B+ market and growing

  • Carbon Robotics’ platform is priced for industrial buyers - Yarbo has the opportunity to own the consumer segment

:robot: Suggested Features

  • Low-power Class 1 or 3R laser system (safe, precise)

  • AI plant recognition model trained on weed vs grass vs garden flora

  • Real-time weed elimination with optional scan-only mode

  • Optional map integration: Yarbo marks areas with high weed density for routine patrol

:white_check_mark: TL;DR (for Product and Strategy Teams)

Aspect Value Proposition
Customer Appeal High-tech, chemical-free weed control
Differentiator No consumer competitor offers this
Market Fit Aligns with sustainability trends
Platform Synergy Leverages Yarbo’s modular design & AI stack

Final Notes

Would it make Yarbo the most overengineered (and overachieving) lawn robot in suburbia? For sure!
Do I still want it? Yes. Yes, I do.

6 Likes
2

I would love for Yarbo to be able to weed and trim my flower beds and bushes. It would save me a lot of money each month from hiring a landscaper to keep up with that. I like that you made this in a business proposal format. Very creative!

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I think the battery size and life expectancy would need to be increased.
Makes me think, with some minor modifications we could attach a mini AGM-86 ALCM missile and delivery systems for the moles. Call it a home defense system

5 Likes
4

If we could have patrol mode on all modules and it would randomize the path across the entire area, I think the vibrations from the tracks would drive them nuts and keep moles at bay. Would also love to see some way to hook a second battery in parallel or series with the current one. Or at least have it switch to the second one when the first one is depleted.

That being said, certainly wouldn’t turn down a missile launcher! :joy:

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5

At some point I’m assuming certain modules will end up with their own on-board battery :thinking:

Edit: I like @bryan.wheeler’s idea better with batteries in parallel! Mo’power beybeh!

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Good point, if they can’t do parallel or switching between two batteries, then the modules could have their own dedicated on board battery for power. I’ve said this idea a lot in some of the other channels, but I would love to see a dedicated battery box attached to the rear of the core for supplemental power when the primary battery is depleted. It doesn’t need to charge the internal battery or anything fancy, just take over when the other one is at 15% or something. This would help with the rear lifting when backing on hills too.

2 Likes
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Thanks for sharing another exciting direction that Yarbo could potentially explore. While we don’t have plans to pursue this in the short term, we truly appreciate the inspiration and the thoughtful vision you’ve provided for a possible future path!