A camera-AI-controlled inter and intrarow weeder (AI-weeder) and a camera-guided inter-row hoe (guided hoe) were compared on two field experiments, during the growing seasons 2022 and 2023. Both systems demonstrated acceptable weed control at the inter-row area (55-85%). The guided hoe consistently outperformed the AI-weeder in the intra-row zone, achieving > 75% control efficacy, resulting comparable to the efficacy of the herbicide reference. The AI-weeder achieved nearly 90% intra-row control with 25% crop damage, on average. The guided hoe ranged between 15 and 90% intra-row weeding efficacy, with maximum 6% crop damage. After two seasons, the guided hoe offers a viable step towards herbicide reduction in sugarbeet farming. The AI-weeder requires further refinement to unlock its full potential.
