Next Big Thing: A weed-killing robot

Boston-based Franklin Robotics -- the inventor of the Roomba -- has seemingly cleaned enough floors to feel motivated to tackle those stubborn weeds outside.

The company has been raising funds on Kickstarter for Tertill, an automated, solar-powered, Bluetooth-connected weed-killer, and it has now raised over 250% of its goal with two days left of its campaign. It reached its initial goals within the first five days.

Tertill is a 2.5-pound, disk-shaped robot that moves about one's garden and can efficiently identify and eliminate unwanted weeds. Its method is simple: weeds are short; plants are tall. A plant tall enough to touch the front of Tertill's shell activates a sensor that makes the robot turn away. A plant short enough to pass under the shell activates a different sensor and turns on the weed cutter.

Homeowners can also avail themselves of protective collars to put around short plants and seedlings until they grow tall enough to avoid the sensor.

Besides keeping gardens free of weeds, Tertill also presents the opportunity to maintain a herbicide-free garden. It also knows the best times to patrol the garden to use its energy most efficiently.

Now, Franklin Robotics is getting ready to ship internationally after receiving a significant amount of backing from supporters in Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, and more.