NVIDIA AI Podcast Carbon Robotics on a New Era of Farming with Robots and Sustainable Innovation - Ep. 270
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Aug 20, 2025 
Paul Mikesell, Founder and CEO of Carbon Robotics, is revolutionizing agriculture with AI and lasers. He discusses how laser weeding eliminates billions of weeds without chemicals, drastically improving sustainability. Mikesell highlights the speed and efficiency of their AI-driven machinery, such as the Carbon Laser Weeder and Auto Tractor, which enhance crop yields while cutting costs. He also addresses the financial benefits of these innovations and the future potential of robotics in farming and beyond.
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From Uber Engineer To Farmer Conversations
- Paul Mikesell discovered farming opportunities after leaving Uber and meeting farmers, including one he sold an airplane to.
- Those conversations revealed weed control as a top pain point and inspired Carbon Robotics' mission.
Targeting The Meristem Kills Weeds Effectively
- Carbon pairs computer vision with lasers to target weeds precisely at their meristem and stop regrowth.
- Destroyed plant meristem returns nutrients to soil, benefiting crops instead of chemical runoff.
Attack Growth Cells Not Roots
- Aim energy at the plant's meristem to stop regrowth rather than trying to remove roots.
- Destroying meristematic cells disables photosynthesis and naturally recycles nutrients into the soil.