An Avocado Robot Gathers Canopy Data by Swinging Among Trees

Researchers in Switzerland are developing an environmental monitoring robot named Avocado, drawing inspiration from abseiling spiders. This fruit-shaped robot utilizes a winch and rotors to descend through the canopy, collecting data on life in the treetops.

The prototype from ETH Zurich’s Environmental Robotics lab showcases a winch located in the upper part of its 3D-printed frame and two ducted three-blade props positioned side by side in its midsection, creating the distinctive appearance of a sizable avocado.

The concept involves attaching the robot to a high branch in the canopy and guiding it to descend through the crown using a battery-powered servo that controls a winch. The frame incorporates a camera at its base, and in the event of detecting an obstacle during the descent, the propellers are activated to maneuver Avocado around it.

Advantages Over Traditional Monitoring

This approach is believed to offer certain advantages over existing monitoring methods. For instance, using flying drones poses the risk of entanglement in dense foliage, and climbing robots might face difficulties navigating through branches of varying sizes or maintaining grip on slippery surfaces. Avocado could provide research teams with greater flexibility to explore a broader range of environments.

Currently, the prototype has undergone testing in a controlled obstacle course within a laboratory and on an actual tree in outdoor conditions. The setup demonstrates “fully mastered autonomous locomotion” but presently necessitates someone climbing to a high point to secure the robot to a tree.

Drone Integration and Future Enhancements

However, there is potential for the robot to be attached beneath a drone, allowing access to otherwise unreachable areas. After being flown to a high point in the treetops, it can autonomously descend to commence its tasks. The robot’s design accommodates the transport of various instruments, such as environmental sensors or a gripper for collecting samples. While the current power source is batteries, future versions may integrate a solar cell on the tether to transmit power through the winch cable, enabling extended missions.

The Swiss National Science Foundation funds the project, and the research team is affiliated with an ETH group that has reached the finals of the XPrize Rainforest c ompetition. This competition aims to reward projects contributing to “our understanding of the rainforest ecosystem” with a portion of the $10-million prize fund.

An online version of a paper published last year is accessible. For additional information, refer to the accompanying video below.

Read the original article on: New atlas

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