Herefordshire-based Arnaud Henry-Lefort, Lead Machine Development Engineer at Ubiqutek Ltd, has been named a finalist for the 2025 LAMMA Young Engineer Award, a competition aiming to showcase the best young engineering talent in the UK.
Arnaud entered his invention, the Rootwave eWeeder, which is a solution for sustainable weed control in orchards and vineyards. The eWeeder uses patented electrical technology to eliminate weeds without chemicals or soil disruption, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional herbicides and mechanical methods.
The system generates high-frequency, high-voltage energy via a PTO-driven generator, which passes electricity through weeds, effectively ‘boiling’ them from the roots up. This approach ensures long-lasting weed eradication and supports sustainability goals by eliminating harmful residues, protecting biodiversity, and preserving soil health.
The Young Engineer Award is designed to highlight innovations and contributions of young engineers working in the agricultural sector. The finalists were chosen by a team of expert judges including Charlie Nicklin from the Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), Charlie Rollason from AGCO Corp, and Farmers Guardian Head of Machinery and Farm Technology Toby Whatley.
