A Chinese agricultural device uses artificial intelligence (AI) to identify weeds and then destroys them with a targeted laser beam, the state news agency Xinhua reported.
The machine, developed by HGTECH in Hubei province, can distinguish cultivated crops from weeds. Towed by a tractor, the unit eradicates weeds without chemical herbicides, which reduces soil and environmental contamination and, according to the developer, does not damage crop plants.
Deployment and name
The device, named Sennung (Shennong) — literally the “Divine Farmer” — is already in use in several provinces, including Heilongjiang in northeast China, which is the country’s largest grain-producing province. HGTECH says this is the first domestically developed intelligent agricultural device of its kind in China.
The name references a legendary figure in Chinese tradition credited with teaching agriculture and the use of medicinal plants.
Context: growth of China’s laser industry
A 2026 industry report on China’s laser sector states that sales of laser equipment in China reached 95.8 billion yuan in 2025, a 6.8 percent increase compared with the previous year. The report estimates that China accounted for about 58 percent of the global market.
This industrial expansion supports wider adoption of laser-based agricultural solutions by strengthening manufacturing and supply capacities.
Why it matters
The technology enables herbicide-free weed control, which is a notable step toward more sustainable farming. Targeted laser treatment can reduce environmental impact and the side effects associated with chemical weedkillers. Nevertheless, questions remain about long-term efficiency, costs, operational details such as runtime and maintenance, and workplace safety, all of which require further evaluation.
(Source: Xinhua, summarized with reference to MTI.)
