Nellie, the Weed Picking Robot

thingiverse

Human: http://youtu.be/-gNEDc0rwY8 Pigweed is taking over, growing 3 inches a day. It's no match for Roundup, the dominant weed killer sold by Monsanto, but that's about to change. This super weed poses a threat to soybean and corn crops across the nation. US farmers dropped $13.7 billion in 2012 on agricultural chemicals, up 70% from 2002. Soybean fields see costs soar - an extra $20 per acre every five years - with hand weeding at a staggering $150 per acre. Meet Nellie, the prototype robot tackling weeds head-on. It spots the invaders and mechanically plucks them one by one, old-school style. Since it's still in its trial phase, Nellie targets an artificial weed - a fake plastic imitation of its natural enemy. This isn't just any bot; it's entered Make's "Pitch Your Prototype" contest. Nellie navigates carpet terrain and spots a pesky plastic weed. It snatches the imposter with precision, dropping it as soon as its mechanical fingers make contact. You can get in on the action: visit http://www.instructables.com/id/Nellie-the-Weed-Picking-Robot/ to see how Nellie works its magic and for a shot at making your own pitch.