OpenWeedLocator Documentation¶
Welcome to the OpenWeedLocator (OWL) project official documentation.
The OWL is an open-source hardware and software weed detection system that can be built with off-the-shelf components, simple green-detection algorithms, and 3D printable parts. It means low-cost, site-specific weed control accessible to everyone.
Complete guides for building both Original and Compact OWL systems with detailed parts lists.
New to OWL? Start here for a roadmap of the full setup process.
Two-step automated install — up and running in ~10 minutes.
Set up your dashboard for remote monitoring. Standalone hotspot or networked multi-OWL.
Learn about mounting OWL on vehicles, robots, and other platforms for various weed control applications.
Wired hardware controllers and wireless dashboard options for monitoring and control.
What is OpenWeedLocator?¶
OpenWeedLocator (OWL) integrates weed detection on a Raspberry Pi with relay control boards in a custom designed case. You can attach any 12V solenoid, relay, lightbulb, or device for low-cost, simple, and open-source site-specific weed control.
Projects to date have seen OWL mounted on:
✅ Vehicles for spot spraying
✅ Agricultural robots
✅ Bicycles for small-scale applications
✅ Data collection platforms
Key Features¶
Real-time weed detection using computer vision algorithms including ExG, HSV, and machine learning approaches.
Complete 3D printable enclosures and open hardware designs with detailed assembly instructions.
Published in Scientific Reports with field-tested detection performance data at speeds up to 30 km/h.
Active community of researchers, farmers, and developers continuously improving the platform.
Latest Updates¶
February 2025 - Complete Installation Guide
🎥 New Video Guide Available! A complete OWL software installation guide is now available on YouTube, making setup easier than ever. Watch the tutorial →
OpenSourceAg Newsletter
📧 Stay Updated! Follow OWL updates through the new OpenSourceAg Newsletter - a new edition every two weeks.
Support & Community¶
Need Help?
💬 OpenWeedLocator Community: Ask questions and share ideas
🐛 Bug Reports: Report issues on GitHub
🤝 Contributing: See our contributing guidelines
Citation¶
If you use OWL in your research, please cite our paper:
@article{Coleman2022,
author = {Coleman, Guy and Salter, William and Walsh, Michael},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-021-03858-9},
journal = {Scientific Reports},
number = {1},
pages = {170},
title = {{OpenWeedLocator (OWL): an open-source, low-cost device for fallow weed detection}},
volume = {12},
year = {2022}
}