ArandomDane t1_itkb1cp wrote on October 24, 2022 at 7:43 AM

Reply to comment by Alan_Smithee_ in This new farming robot uses lasers to kill 200,000 weeds per hour by GonjaNinja420

For energy consumption (whether green or fossil or somewhere in-between), speed doesn't matter. Energy consumption is dependent on work done not how fast it is done.

strcrssd t1_itkynev wrote on October 24, 2022 at 12:41 PM

To some degree. Speed is inversely proportional to energy consumption due to air resistance. Slower is much more efficient.

ChineseEntrepreneur t1_itl3334 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 1:18 PM

This is the perfect Aktually comment. Something that's technically true but isn't a real consideration given the context.

pzerr t1_itlh191 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM

To a certain degree. The engine resistance internally will be far greater at some point then the work at the wheels. The overall efficiency at slow speeds will be far worse.

Ie. A car traveling at 1kph while idling will only make 200km before the tank is empty. (20 hours). There always is a sweet spot. In farm equipment, tractor speeds are far lower and thus air resistance is negligible when compared to the work they do.