A robot inspired by the pangolin, called “Plantolin”, was the big winner of a robotics competition. Designed by engineers at the University of Surrey, in the United Kingdom, the original concept was born from the creativity of Dorothy, a high school student from California, USA.
The pangolin, an animal with a peculiar appearance and scales that resemble a pineapple, has fascinated Dorothy since she began studying it. Although they are not fast or fierce animals, pangolins have a charming gait and spend much of their time digging in search of food.
Plantolin appears as a technological solution to this problem, aiming to plant trees in a practical and effective way, even in urban areas, where animals cannot perform this function naturally.
Plantolin was developed at the University of Surrey, in collaboration with Dorothy and a team of engineers led by Dr Robert Siddall, increasing efficiency when planting trees.
The robot moves on two large wheels and has a long articulated tail, which helps it maintain its balance on uneven terrain, similar to the balance of a pangolin. The robot's body is covered in plywood scales, mimicking the animal's scaly appearance.
Plantolin's “claws” are key to its function: they dig holes in the ground, into which the robot deposits small seed bombs, with a mixture of yew seeds and soil.
Plantolin stands out not only for its technological innovation, but also for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The robot's ability to automatically plant trees in urban and rural areas directly contributes to the recovery of ecosystems and the mitigation of climate change.
Dr. Robert Siddall, one of the engineers responsible for the project, emphasizes how nature can be a great source of inspiration for solving environmental problems. “Dorothy’s brilliant design reminds us that we can find solutions to big problems by looking to nature,” he commented.
With Plantolin's success in the Natural Robotics Competition, this tree-planting robot is expected to inspire further innovation in the field of green technology, helping to create a greener and more sustainable planet for generations to come.
A robot inspired by the pangolin, called “Plantolin”, was the big winner of a robotics competition. Designed by engineers at the University of Surrey, in the United Kingdom, the original concept was born from the creativity of Dorothy, a high school student from California, USA.
The pangolin, an animal with a peculiar appearance and scales that resemble a pineapple, has fascinated Dorothy since she began studying it. Although they are not fast or fierce animals, pangolins have a charming gait and spend much of their time digging in search of food.
It was this characteristic that inspired Dorothy to create a robot that could imitate this behavior, digging the soil and planting seeds.
Plantolin appears as a technological solution to this problem, aiming to plant trees in a practical and effective way, even in urban areas, where animals cannot perform this function naturally.
Plantolin was developed at the University of Surrey, in collaboration with Dorothy and a team of engineers led by Dr Robert Siddall, increasing efficiency when planting trees.
The robot moves on two large wheels and has a long articulated tail, which helps it maintain its balance on uneven terrain, similar to the balance of a pangolin. The robot's body is covered in plywood scales, mimicking the animal's scaly appearance.
Plantolin's “claws” are key to its function: they dig holes in the ground, into which the robot deposits small seed bombs, with a mixture of yew seeds and soil.
Plantolin stands out not only for its technological innovation, but also for its commitment to environmental sustainability. The robot's ability to automatically plant trees in urban and rural areas directly contributes to the recovery of ecosystems and the mitigation of climate change.
Dr. Robert Siddall, one of the engineers responsible for the project, emphasizes how nature can be a great source of inspiration for solving environmental problems. “Dorothy’s brilliant design reminds us that we can find solutions to big problems by looking to nature,” he commented.
With Plantolin's success in the Natural Robotics Competition, this tree-planting robot is expected to inspire further innovation in the field of green technology, helping to create a greener and more sustainable planet for generations to come.