US-based company Aigen has developed an artificial intelligence system called Alchemy, enabling agricultural robots to learn how to work with new crops in less than a week. The technology creates virtual field environments using real-world data collected during farming operations. This allows robots to learn to identify new crops and weeds before entering the field. For example, the company's Element robot was trained to work with lettuce and prepared for field operations in under seven days.
Element is an autonomous machine powered by solar energy, with battery backup. Using cameras and artificial intelligence, the robot distinguishes crops from weeds, while specialised mechanical arms remove unwanted plants at the root. This approach enables herbicide-free weed control. Depending on the farm's requirements, the robot can be equipped with two, three or four independently operating arms and remove weeds with foliage up to 15 cm in diameter, including those growing between rows and beneath crop canopies.
In addition to weed control, the system collects information on plant populations, crop conditions and weed pressure. It can also detect early signs of diseases and fungal infections. This helps farmers identify problem areas more quickly and plan targeted treatments where needed. According to the developer, Aigen has already manufactured more than 100 robots, which have collectively completed over 15,000 hours of autonomous operation.
The technology has been tested in the United States on soybeans, tomatoes, sugar beets, lettuce and cotton. Its main advantage is the ability to adapt equipment to different crops without lengthy new data collection and training processes. For agribusinesses, such solutions offer opportunities to reduce fuel consumption, chemical inputs and manual labour costs. However, their economic efficiency will depend on farm size, growing conditions and implementation costs. The company is already accepting orders for the 2027 growing season.
Original source: Aigen — company announcement on Alchemy and Element technologies, October 1, 2026.