The Bay Area Startup Using Superheated Vegetable Oil to Zap Weeds

By Agroempresario.com

In the evolving landscape of agricultural technology, a Bay Area startup, Tensorfield Agriculture, is pioneering a groundbreaking approach to weed control. By utilizing superheated vegetable oil, the company aims to offer an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective alternative to traditional herbicides, laser weeding, and manual labor. Their proprietary thermal micro-jetting technology, developed in collaboration with UC Davis and the University of Bonn-Landtechnik, presents a compelling case for its adoption in specialty row crops such as carrots and lettuce.

The Science Behind Thermal Micro-Jetting

Unlike traditional herbicides that rely on chemical compounds to inhibit weed growth, Tensorfield Agriculture’s method involves applying vegetable oil heated to temperatures ranging from 160 to 180 degrees Celsius directly onto weeds. This effectively disrupts cellular structures, leading to rapid desiccation and plant death. The technology enables precision targeting, with each nozzle operating at a quarter-inch accuracy, ensuring minimal impact on surrounding crops.

According to Xiong Chang, co-founder and CEO, the system is significantly lighter than laser-based solutions, consuming only a fifth of the energy while achieving speeds two to four times faster. This reduction in weight also minimizes soil compaction, a major concern for farmers employing heavy machinery in their fields.

Efficiency and Economic Viability

For organic farmers who currently rely on costly manual weeding, Tensorfield Agriculture's approach offers substantial savings. Organic carrot growers, for instance, spend significant resources on labor-intensive weed removal. By integrating Tensorfield's semi-autonomous system, which covers up to an acre per hour, they can dramatically cut labor costs.

Similarly, conventional farmers using chemical herbicides could reduce dependency on expensive inputs, optimizing their weed control expenditures. Even if farmers continue some degree of manual weeding for safety reasons, the technology ensures that the bulk of weed pressure is mitigated, leading to notable cost reductions.

Operational Mechanics: How It Works

The thermal micro-jetting system is mounted on a self-propelled vehicle equipped with a commercial deep fat fryer, which safely heats food-grade industrial thermal fluid using propane. The heated oil is then delivered via a network of nozzles, with depth cameras and self-leveling mechanisms ensuring precision application even on uneven terrain.

Each machine is designed to operate for up to 10 acres before requiring an oil refill, though actual usage depends on weed density. The vehicle is controlled via an intuitive PlayStation 4 controller, a design choice inspired by the gaming background of its creators, making operation accessible to farm workers without extensive technical training.

Business Model and Cost Structure

Tensorfield Agriculture employs a pay-per-use pricing model: a fixed fee of $50 per acre, plus an additional half-cent charge per weed killed. This model ensures that farmers only pay for the effectiveness of the system, aligning costs directly with benefits.

The company has already begun paid trials with organic carrot growers and is scaling up production. The target return on investment (ROI) is impressive: a machine operating for 33 days could fully cover its capital costs, making it a high-margin solution for high-density crops.

Challenges and Market Adoption

Despite its promising advantages, Tensorfield Agriculture faces skepticism from growers who have been disappointed by past ag-tech innovations. The challenge is proving that thermal micro-jetting is not just a novel idea but a practical, scalable, and reliable solution.

The startup’s journey began in 2020 with a prototype that successfully differentiated crops from weeds but lacked sufficient heating power. The second iteration in 2022 introduced on-the-fly oil heating but struggled with application precision on uneven ground. The latest version features an articulating nozzle system that adapts to field conditions, enhancing accuracy and effectiveness.

Future Prospects and Expansion Plans

With funding from investors such as SOSV, Tensorfield Agriculture is now at a pivotal growth stage. The next goal is to produce five additional machines and achieve $5 million in annual recurring revenue. Further advancements, such as incorporating higher-performance solenoid valves, could potentially increase processing speeds by up to five times, unlocking new efficiencies in the field.

While the current model focuses on early-stage weeding, the company is exploring possibilities for later-stage applications and expanded crop compatibility. By reducing reliance on chemical herbicides and labor-intensive manual weeding, Tensorfield Agriculture's approach could redefine sustainable farming practices for years to come.

As the agricultural industry continues to seek innovative solutions to balance efficiency, cost, and environmental impact, Tensorfield Agriculture’s pioneering work in thermal micro-jetting could position it as a key player in the future of precision farming.