LUXEED Robotics aims to revolutionise weed control
The European Commission aims to halve pesticide use by 2030. As a result, the agricultural sector is increasingly seeking alternatives to chemical crop protection. LUXEED Robotics wants to fundamentally change the way weeds are managed. Their solution? No pesticides or manual labor, but lasers and artificial intelligence.
Making technology accessible to all farmers
Startup LUXEED — one of the winners of the AI & Robotics in Agriculture Demo Day organised by Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo and EIT Food — is developing AI-powered lasers that precisely locate and remove weeds by burning them. By targeting the core of the weed, unwanted plants are destroyed instantly.
This provides a sustainable alternative to chemical herbicides without compromising on speed or efficiency. While many existing high-tech solutions are only available to large-scale farms, LUXEED wants to make the technology accessible to small and medium-sized farmers. Guadaluna Chaer, co-founder & CEO of LUXEED, explains: ‘This group currently has no access to such innovative technology enough to cover their whole land at an affordable price.’
To lower the barrier to entry, LUXEED is developing its machine in multiple formats — from 6 meters wide to compact versions of 1.5 meters and even 75 centimetres, depending on the farmer’s needs.
Precision down to the millimetre
Although multiple companies are active in laser weeding, LUXEED sets itself apart through its software. From camera vision to laser targeting, the AI-controlled process is fully developed in-house and will give farmers what they expect in laserweeding. According to Guadaluna, their flexible solution makes their innovation faster, more effective, and more precise than existing alternatives.
Guadaluna: ‘Traditional methods such as mechanical or electric weeding often require several centimetres of clearance to avoid damaging crops. Our technology is accurate down to the millimetre. The laser fires directly next to the crop without risking damage to plants or soil. Even weeds touching a crop will be hit without harming the crop itself nor the soil. As a result, no manual labor or herbicides are needed at all.’
Lasers are the future
LUXEED’s ultimate ambition goes beyond technology alone. Guadaluna: ‘We want to make organic crops affordable for everyone. By eliminating the costly burden of weed control, organic crops like onions and carrots — currently risky and labor-intensive to grow — can become more affordable for both consumers and farmers. Farmers need to make an initial investment in the laser system, but it results in long-term savings on pesticides and labor. Lasers are the future!’
From prototype to market
LUXEED is currently working on its first prototype, with the ambition to start selling machines by 2027. As with many startups, funding remains a challenge. Lasers and high-end cameras are expensive, and R&D requires significant investment. Thanks to subsidies from organizations such as LIOF and Rabobank, LUXEED is making strong progress, but for the next growth phase, the company invites interested parties to get in touch via their website.
Want to know more? Visit https://luxeedrobotics.com
About the AI & Robotics in Agriculture Demo Day
During the Demo Day on June 18, 2025, organised by startup accelerator BLINC of Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo and EIT Food, Europe’s leading startups, speakers, companies, and investors came together to explore how AI and robotics are transforming the future of agriculture and food production. Eight startups pitched their innovative ideas during the startup challenge.
First Moves recorded a live podcast at the event with CEO Ingrid Vermeer (Brightlands), DBC Benoit Buntinx (EIT Food), Professor Marc Hanheide (University of Lincoln), several panel members, and winning startups LUXEED Robotics and Neolithics.
Watch the podcast here (YouTube)
Listen to the podcast here (Spotify)
Want more? Check out the aftermovie (YouTube)!