Aigen Launches Element Gen 2 X4, the Only Scalable Mechanical Alternative to Chemical Weed Control
Element Gen 2 X4 removes weeds that chemicals and lasers can't, in the row and between rows, and creates field-level analytics on every pass.
Key takeaways
- Aigen has launched Element Gen 2 X4, a four-armed upgrade to its autonomous weed control, data collection, and analytics robot. Fleets are available to growers for the 2027 season.
- Four independently operating arms remove weeds at the root mechanically, in the row and between rows, up to 12 inches foliage diameter.
- Robots run entirely on solar with solar-charged battery backup, and navigate rows and fields as a coordinated fleet using Aigen's custom edge AI.
- Aigen's fleet weeds commodity crops with no chemicals and no fossil fuels, at a cost competitive with spraying herbicides.
- Aigen has built more than 100 robots and logged more than 15,000 autonomous hours in the field across multiple generations.
- Element Gen 2 X4 is engineered for 10,000 hours of active operation.
Redmond, WA — September 16, 2026
Aigen, the company building autonomous, solar-powered robots for agriculture, today announced Element Gen 2 X4. With more onboard capability, the company's newest robot removes weeds at a cost similar to what many farmers already spend on chemical herbicides, while offering growers plant-level data and field-level analytics. Element Gen 2 X4 is already deployed with Fortune 500 companies for weed control, data collection, and analytics.
Element beats weeds that defeat the alternatives.
Chemical herbicides are banned in organic farming, while conventional farmers are battling 275 herbicide-resistant weed species worldwide. Laser weed control is limited to only between rows to avoid striking the crop, and becomes less effective as weeds get larger. Element removes weeds at the root mechanically, in the row and between rows, even up to 12 inches foliage diameter.
Precision of a hand crew at the scale and cost of a sprayer.
Element Gen 2 X4 is currently cost-competitive with organic herbicide programs, as well as the more expensive conventional chemistries, and in areas where repeat chemical applications during the growing season are necessary. Aigen is on track to compete on cost with conventional herbicides in the near future.
"Our Element Gen 2 X4 offers effective weed control for any size commodity farm, plus plant and field level data and analytics, for the same cost that many farmers are spending on just herbicides alone. Element fleets bring the precision of a hand crew at the scale of a sprayer, fully autonomously and fully solar-powered." Kenny Lee, co-founder and CEO, Aigen
More capability, same solar power.
Upgrading to four independently operating arms was a critical technical breakthrough for Aigen and Element, enabling each robot to cover more rows more effectively. Aigen's custom edge AI identifies every plant and directs all four arms to only the weeds, in real time, as the robot moves. Two- and three-arm (X2, X3) configurations remain available.
"Upgrading to four arms was a hardware, software, and power usage challenge. The team did an incredible job with the Gen 2 X4 pulling this off and still staying within a limited solar-powered budget. Farmers are being hit hard by higher and more unpredictable fuel costs. Element is an affordable and effective weed control and field analytics solution all in one." Richard Wurden, co-founder and CTO, Aigen
Every robot runs entirely on solar, with a solar-charged battery backup, and works as part of a coordinated fleet. No driver, no fuel, no charging infrastructure.
Element Gen 2 X4 records weed density going into a field and removal coming out, giving growers a plant-level record of what was there and what was removed on every pass.
Aigen has built more than 100 robots and logged more than 15,000 autonomous hours in the field across multiple generations. Element is designed for 10,000 active operating hours or 8 years, and carries a two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty.
Growers can review specifications and request a demonstration at aigen.io.
Q&A for context
Is Element Gen 2 X4 a new robot, or an upgrade to the fleet Aigen already runs?
Element Gen 2 X4 is the four-arm configuration of Aigen's second-generation robot. Element robots have controlled weeds in the row and between rows across multiple generations. Gen 2 X4 adds four independently operating arms and more onboard and in-field capability. Two- and three-arm configurations remain available.
What can Element do that herbicides and lasers cannot?
Herbicides are banned in organic farming, and 275 weed species worldwide now resist the chemistries that once killed them. Laser weed control is limited to only between rows to avoid striking the crop, and it loses effectiveness as weeds get larger. Element removes weeds at the root mechanically, in the row and between rows, regardless of resistance, up to 12 inches foliage diameter.
What do four arms change?
Four arms cover more rows per pass. Aigen's custom edge AI identifies every plant and directs all four arms to only the weeds, in real time, as the robot moves.
How does this compare to what growers pay for weed control today?
Element Gen 2 X4 is currently cost-competitive with expensive chemical herbicides, manual weed control, and in geographies where repeat applications are needed. Aigen is on track to compete on cost with conventional herbicides in the near future. Growers get a known per-acre weed control cost set before the season, plus plant-level data and field-level analytics from every pass.
What happens if a robot needs service during the season?
Aigen troubleshoots Element Gen 2 X4 remotely, and field service teams support all customers. Element is designed for 10,000 active operating hours or 8 years, and carries a two-year bumper-to-bumper warranty, including motors, regardless of operating hours, excluding normal wear and consumables. Extended warranty may be offered beyond two years.
What's next?
Element Gen 2 X4 fleets are available for the 2027 season. Aigen is hosting field demonstrations for growers and operators, bookable at aigen.io.
About Aigen
Founded in 2020 by Richard Wurden and Kenny Lee, Aigen builds fully autonomous, solar-powered robots that deliver chemical-free, fossil-fuel-free weed control and crop intelligence for large-scale agriculture. Wurden, a former Tesla engineer, and Lee, a data and security leader, founded the company to remove harmful chemicals from the food supply and build the data foundation for autonomous agriculture. Aigen sells to enterprise OEMs, agribusiness, and farmers. Learn more at aigen.io.