Steam Over Chemicals: Naware’s AI-Powered Quest to Save the Soil—and Your Wallet

Can steam and AI end our reliance on toxic herbicides? One startup says yes—and it's already talking to $5 billion giants. Naware, a classic garage startup turned AgTech innovator, is replacing chemicals with nothing but vaporized water guided by computer vision.

From Personal Tragedy to High-Tech Steam

Founder Mark Boysen didn't start with steam. He first experimented with drones and a 200-watt laser to eliminate weeds. His mission was personal: his family in North Dakota lost three members to cancer, which they suspected was linked to groundwater contamination. After laser prototypes proved too fire-prone, Boysen pivoted to a safer, more scalable solution: high-pressure steam.

The team’s early research was humble, involving "rinky dink" garment steamers ordered from Amazon. Today, the tech has evolved into a sophisticated rig that can be attached to tractors, mowers, or ATVs, making it highly flexible for various landscapes.

Solving the 'Green-on-Green' Problem

Identifying a green weed against a background of green grass in real-time is a notorious challenge in the industry. Powered by NvidiaGPUs, Naware's software uses advanced computer vision to spot and neutralize targets while the machine is in motion. This precision allows for effective weed management without the collateral damage of broad-spectrum chemical spraying.

The $250,000 Economic Incentive

Naware isn't just selling sustainability; it's selling massive savings. For athletic fields and golf courses, Boysen claims the system can save between $100,000 and $250,000 on chemical costs alone. By removing the need for dedicated chemical spray personnel, labor costs also plummet. The startup is currently running paid pilots and is in deep discussions with major equipment manufacturers.